


^ ... 



















e Internet Archive , 
in 2011 with funding from 



, Digitiz 



The Library of Congress 








"**. 




iV^ 



A 






r . « • 




^ H °^ 



i?^ 








vv 

.^. 






http://www.arGhive.org/details/naturallawsgoverOOcraw 






^^.C^tok-.V J 



.-•* *o. 



\ 













Vk« 



•V 



■% 








tf^afi^^gL 



NATURAL LAWS 

GOVERNING THE 

MORTAL and IMMORTAL 
WORLDS 



BY 

CHARLES H. CRAWFORD, M. D. 



Nature has endowed man with a free moral agency, 
which he shackles with bigotry. 



CHICAGO 
HOMEWOOD PUBLISHING COMPANY 



ft* 



LIBRARY at CONGRESS 

Two Copies Received 

MAR 10 1904 

I *l Copyright Entry 

&LASS CL- XXc. No. 

o v ^ T / 
COPY 8 



Copyright iy03 

By 

CARLES H.'CRfAyPQBD, M. D. 



I DEDICATE THIS WORK 

TO 

MR. E. T. BROCKMAN, MY DEAR FRIEND 

AND ASSOCIATE 

IN MY INVESTIGATIONS 

OF 

NATURAL LAWS GOVERNING 

THE 

MORTAL AND IMMORTAL 

WORLDS 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER. PAGE. 

Preface. 
I Introduction 1-3 

II Science of Life 4-14 

III Preparatory to Philosophy of Religions 15-33 

IV Philosophy of the Three Classes of Men 34-37 

V Philosophy of Religions 38-69 

VI Natural Laws of Both Worlds 70-78 

VII Science of Immortal Life 79-84 

VIII Work of Immortals 85-88 

IX Importance of Spiritual Development 89-93 

X Spiritual Development 94-99 

XI Investigation of Immortal Life 100-103 

XII Mediumship 104-112 

XIII Materialization 1 13-123 

XIV Trumpet 124-129 

XV Thought and Inspiration 130-140 

XVI Affinity 141-148 

XVII Harmony 149-153 

XVIII Spirit or Mind 154-21 1 

XIX Conclusion 212-218 



PREFACE 



In my effort to portray to the human mind the truth of 
the subject of which I have written, I have endeavored 
to dictate and prescribe this work in the most explana- 
tory manner that the English language will permit, that 
each and every mind may comprehend the meaning. I 
have followed the laws of natural philosophy in all my 
investigations, that I might not be deceived in the slight- 
est detail, in order to present to the reader nothing but 
the plain and unvarnished truth. 

Many of the human family are unfamiliar with this 
subject, and I trust they will recognize the ignorance to 
which the human mind has been subjected during the 
existence of this mortal life, and their eyes be opened to 
the truths of the Natural Laws of both the Mortal and 
Immortal Worlds. When I allude to Mortal and Im- 
mortal Worlds I refer to the conditions of the mind's 
existence before and after the dissolution of the phys- 
ical body. 

There exists in my mind no desire to deceive, mis- 
guide or mislead any mind from the right, through any 
fanaticism, or selfish motives ; but to portray the truth 
in a purely philosophical light, that the human mind 
may grasp and accept, if it so desires. I do not antici- 
pate that all men will accept these truths, as all have 
not progressed to that condition in which they are able 
to comprehend them ; but this work may incite a desire 
for original thought with an ambition for intelligence. 
My main object is to enrich the mind with knowledge and 
a high spiritual intelligence, as knowledge and intelli- 
gence are the rudiments of progression. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The morning light of a new era has dawned upon my 
mind, and the shadows of my once fancied dreamland 
of life are fading away. A world of inspired knowledge 
has broken through the veil of gloom and uncertainty, 
and what was once an opaque body of impenetrable 
vapor has now passed from my vision. By study and 
investigation, a new line of thought has blotted out the 
visionary past, and I have ventured upon a new sea of 
knowledge. The threads which bound me to the teach- 
ings of the past have been severed, and with my knowl- 
edge of the sciences of today, I hope to be classed with 
advanced minds of the age. 

It is only by desire that the world has been able to 
progress, and by this desire only have great and noble 
ideas of the past been handed down in history as guides 
and influences to further intelligence, that the coming 
generations might be benefited thereby. 

I ask the thinking world to join me in my venture 
along these lines, that my words may be strengthened 
and accepted by the reading public. I do not expect to 
awaken the whole world to undiscovered facts and 



2 INTRODUCTION. 

truths, but I desire to relieve the thinking mind of some 
old dogmas which possibly they have not had an oppor- 
tunity of investigating. I trust the results of my inves- 
tigations will cause the thinking world to reflect, and 
thereby create a desire for further knowledge. I feel it 
my solemn duty to give to the world the results of my 
most careful and scientific investigations of nature, and 
should I inadvertently offend any, with set and conclu- 
sive ideas, I sincerely ask that they may only give it a 
careful consideration and weigh it with an unbiased 
mind. 

The question may be asked, Is it possible to find the 
truth of which we are seeking? 

I shall answer this question by saying : We can ac- 
complish this by throwing aside all bigotry, selfishness 
and by determination to follow the line of thought pre- 
viously prescribed, and accepting what is given us 
through bright intelligences of modern times ; keeping 
apace of the day in which we live ; always alert for new 
ideas, and weighing them with systematizing zeal, that 
we may not stray either to right or left ; always argu- 
ing with ourselves pro and con, that we may extract 
nothing but the truth therefrom ; never delaying until 
others have expressed their opinion to influence our 
own, but > depending upon our own intelligence to prove 
facts that lie within its scope. By so doing, we will 
reach our ideal, which will give us pleasure and satisfac- 
tion, freeing us from the biased opinion of others, and 
the expense of time and trouble of analyzing their 
thoughts. 

I do not mean to say that it is possible for us to com- 
pass all that is worth knowing. On the contrary, we 
should listen to those whom we are satisfied are convers- 



INTRODUCTION. 3 

ant upon the topic under consideration, and then weigh 
their argument. 

To read opinions of scientific men, and to follow the 
line of their researches, will broaden our minds with 
advanced theories, which otherwise we might never pos- 
sess. At the same time we are to keep up our own in- 
vestigations and exercise of judgment, as by so doing we 
are developing our own mental poise, by which greater 
thoughts will be an issue. 

Self-reliance is one of the possessions necessary for 
further mental development, and a training to that end 
should by all means be fostered, as by so doing we de- 
velop within ourselves our true nature, removed from 
any skepticism or bigotry which has been instilled into us 
by our early education, and when this is accomplished we 
are in a position to look upon subjects in their true light, 
and are then capable of drawing a clear and unbiased 
conclusion. 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. 



CHAPTER II. 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. 



Ignorance is a bane of contention. Until this evil is 
eradicated, the intelligent mind will never be able to 
proclaim to its fullest the knowledge which it contains, 
for fear of sensation and derision. 

Ignorance and superstition, which go hand in hand, 
decry exemplified truths and facts, ofttimes in the ca- 
pacity of an editorial or some recognized publication in 
the way of a magazine that the public hold up as an au- 
thority from which they gain a large portion of their in- 
formation, and give credit to such without a question of 
the full truthfulness of its statement. 

The majority of mankind are influenced by all pub- 
lications to a greater or less extent, even though they be 
contrary to their own visionary ideas ; and as that ma- 
jority sees so little of purely scientific works, their minds 
are wafted along with the line of reading that so unfor- 
tunately falls to their lot for perusal, by which their 
minds are retarded in development, not catching the ad- 
vanced ideas of sciences, until they are nearly forgotten 
by the scientific mind. 

As time with its progression advances, and all our pub- 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. 5 

lie literature is subjected to scientific criticism before 
publication, the minor reading world will have advanced 
theories to store their minds with, and will then stand on 
a par with the scientific world. There are those who can- 
not think for themselves, and others who are too indo- 
lent to think for themselves, and in such instances we see 
the propriety of giving them the advantage of the re- 
sults of advanced intelligence. 

Instead of straining the truth for fear of public criti- 
cism, should some of our writers today allow the world to 
read from their pen the truths of their own search-light 
investigations, and standing on an eminence of facts and 
truths, with the world howling with envy and derision, 
realize how brief a period will exist when their versions 
will be acknowledged by those imitating subjects of in- 
dolence, they would not hesitate to give to the reading 
world the results of their investigated knowledge. 

When alluding to realities, writers of fiction should 
follow the line of truth, and whatever they give as a 
matter of fact be of that nature, and not simply to please 
their own fancy, regardless of truth, or how much the 
reader may be deluded. 

On the editorial page of the daily journals purporting 
to be written by scientists, I have observed articles sup- 
posedly of a scientific nature, which were absolutely for- 
eign to that nature, but on the contrary were merely what 
the writer himself might have thought, regardless of sci- 
ence ; and that same article denounced material truths of 
which there was no question of doubt. 

The unscientific world take these articles for truths, 
and repeat them for facts, unconscious of their mislead- 
ing qualities. 

A suggestion may arise in the mind of the reader — 



6 SCIENCE OF LIFE. 

through experience of deception which is so easily prac- 
ticed upon us — that before accepting local publications 
as truths, it would be better by far to investigate, or ac- 
cept scientific works as authority upon these subjects 
which are under discussion in our local journals. By so 
doing we would go to the fountain head, where the think- 
ing world is most liable to go for its information. I do 
not pretend to say that our local newspapers or magazines 
do not contain scientific intelligence, or new thoughts, by 
which our store of knowledge may be better supplied ; 
but as there are many articles written by those who have 
never delved into the depths of science, a thought may 
give rise to a question of doubt, and mislead us from the 
line of scientific perfection. It would be better by far to 
remain in doubt than to stray from the truth of a subject, 
and, on the other hand, it would be better to leave our 
mind at rest than to discredit a truth. 

Should all thoughts that have a tendency to retard the 
progressive mind be discountenanced, the world would de- 
velop to a higher plane of intelligence with astounding 
rapidity, but when the mind is shackled with such retard- 
ing elements as jealousy and selfishness, a restriction of 
thought at once with marvelous influences appears and 
a cessation of ideas ensues. The mind ceases to act. A 
desire for more lofty aspiration closes the book of useful 
knowledge. 

Jealousy and selfishness are running-mates on this 
great race-course of human existence, and are always 
the last to reach the pole. Like ignorance and supersti- 
tion, they are always found wanting. 

It is a hard task in life's battle to prove to the enemies 
of truth that they are in error ; and that it is their selfish 
minds that are placing them on the defense. Jealousies 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. 7 

creep in unguarded and unconsciously work ruin. Ef- 
forts of influence almost invariably amount to naught, 
and only by sorrow, disappointments, and regrets, after 
the hoary locks of time and dimmed vision of old age 
are upon them, are they able to realize that life to them 
has been a barren waste. Like the stone that has been 
worn by the waters of ages, so is the mind of the selfish 
man ; and only time with its constant working influences 
may ever be able to smooth and polish the scarified 
mind. 

The selfish man is one to whom the higher life rarely 
appeals. He is a man who is apparently satisfied with 
his present environments, who always seeks self ben- 
efits regardless of others' rights and comforts, with a 
desire to impair or retard the progress of others. He 
never gives himself any perturbance of thought on ac- 
count of discomfitures of others, but on the contrary, 
with great zeal gloats over the downfall of his fel- 
low man. He looks upon all whom he meets with dis- 
trust, suspecting them of evil deeds or thoughts, and is 
scorned by the civilized and thinking world. Perchance 
by accident his eyes are opened by a reflected ray from 
a prototype of himself : otherwise some disaster may 
bring him on a level with an unfortunate whom he 
has ruthlessly scorned. 

Oh, ye gods of ruin and disaster, may not the people 
of this earthly sphere open their eyes to a realization of 
the truths that the rising generation be benefited there- 
by. May they throw off the shackles that bind them to 
ignorance, superstition, bigotry, and jealousy, and let 
the light of intelligence shine in upon their souls, that 
they may peer with confidence and unbiased minds into 
the truths and virtues of our earthly existence, and the 

2 



8 SCIENCE OF LIFE. 

perfect laws of nature that connect us with the life to 
come. 

Science and arts are promoters of rapid progression : 
As time flies by on its wings of enlightenment, dog- 
matisms and old theories begin to crumble and pass into 
the shadow of forgetfulness. The world will then have 
a clearer field of knowledge to draw from and skepticism 
will fade into oblivion. Ideas formerly fostered with so 
much zeal and satisfaction will appear as idle dreams of 
the past. 

Should we be able to look into the future, as we might 
see it fifty or one hundred years hence (could kind na- 
ture so prolong our lives), the spark of life could not 
burn rapidly enough to carry us on to that period. Our 
present life would be one constant tension of regrets, 
anxieties, and discontentments. The support of life is 
progression ; looking forward to something new, a de- 
sire for new thoughts, new ideas, new inventions, pro- 
motion in arts and sciences, theories in advance of our 
fellow men, a craving, a desire to outdo all other human 
beings, a longing that can never be satiated ; and yet 
when touched upon certain topics the mind revolts, it 
refuses to progress further, and only time with its worn 
and disheveled threads can open the way to investigation. 
These things are mysteries, and I presume will always be 
mysteries to the faltering mind. 

When bereft of energy the mind begins to doubt. 
Visions of impossibilities appear in the arena of our 
astuf?? criticism which are harbingers of an unhealthy 
mind, due possibly to our own indiscretion. On awak- 
ening from a state of lethargy, we question our mind 
with these words, Are there impossibilities ? and may an- 
swer in this soliloquy, They are figments of the mind. 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. 9 

Condition of mind is the prime mover in all that is 
right or wrong, good or bad, and it is a question of 
condition as to when we are prepared to move in a line 
of thought for our best good. How are we to determine 
when the right condition exists? The mind is consti- 
tuted with a physical and spiritual nature. When the 
physical body is in a perfect state of health, and the mind 
is clear and in a passive condition, the spiritual nature 
predominates, it is then more capable of drawing a per- 
fect conclusion. 

It is better never to form an opinion on subjects of 
great importance when the mind is in a restless and per- 
turbed condition. Neither is it fitting after a discussion 
with those whom we are aware are biased, no matter 
from what cause, for we may then be unable to decide 
with perfect equity. 

The various phases of perturbation to progression will 
enumerate into large numbers, and a display of those 
phases, objectionable as they may appear, may be of 
benefit to the reader who is seeking for knowledge. A 
portrayal of difficulties which we must encounter in 
our efforts for truths may clear our way should we pos- 
sess the discrimination to weed out all such would-be 
benefactors who so freely desire to contribute to our 
store of knowledge. This discrimination must be exer- 
cised ere we fall into that old rut, or ideas of the past, 
which as mementoes are handed down from generation 
to generation, with the incredulous mind which is so 
thoroughly instilled in that type of mankind. . 

It is the mind of the industrious energetic man that 
is seeking the great truths of science, while the mind 
of the incredulous, selfish, indolent man is, in as many 
phases as his efforts will permit, striving to restrict the 



io SCIENCE OF LIFE. 

powerful strides and advancement of intelligence. 
While the bright and lofty mind is forging onward with 
a mighty determination to accomplish the object that is 
seen as a glimmer in the far distance, inspired with a 
hope of penetrating the depth of perplexities that have 
arisen, no desire to falter or turn back, but with that 
same inspired assurance of accomplishing the end, these 
incredulous minds scorn and denounce such efforts as 
inefficient attempts to consummate something ; but when 
these scientific problems are proven by solution and the 
world has been bettered thereby, then these same in- 
credulous minds will say, "I thought it would be so." 

These unscrupulous individuals, who with their weak- 
ling propensities, are endeavoring to thwart all onward 
movements in this advanced show of life, should be 
shunned by the student of progression, and a deaf ear 
lent to all their wailings of discouragements. 

While a boy, during my summer stay on my father's 
farm, I recall the period of the invention of the mow- 
ing machine, and the discussions that took place be- 
tween the farmers upon the new invention ; also the 
great diversity of opinions in regard to its merits. I also 
recall the great number who totally denounced it, and 
proclaimed that nothing could be invented that could 
supersede the old-fashioned scythe. This incident I 
have ever retained in my memory as a guidance, and it 
has influenced my whole life. 

Steam and the functions it performs, electricity and 
its various attributes, as the telegraph, telephone, the 
various ways of transportation, different forms of illu- 
mination, heating and cooking, and, last of all, the Mar- 
coni system of wireless telegraphy (and that is only in 
its infancy), all of these and many more inventions have 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. n 

had scoffers in their inventive period, and these same 
people are ready to denounce and retard, if in their 
power, all further development. Sciences have all met 
with the same rebuffs, and but for determined and un- 
shackled minds, we today would remain in darkness, as 
those of thousands of years in the past. 

When Galileo proclaimed that the world was round, 
he was met by rebuffs, and by some people considered 
insane. He was charged with opposing philosophy, or 
nature's laws, and violating religious views of the 
churches of his day, and cast into prison. 

The world of today looks upon that incident, wherein 
intelligence suffered at the hands of ignorance, and terms 
it preposterous. No intelligent person can express him- 
self otherwise ; and yet at this very time, incidents of 
just as preposterous a nature exist. Time does not 
change the natural proclivities of man. Although his 
mind has progressed, a wider field of knowledge has 
been solved, yet there are other mysteries which have 
dawned upon his vision which he is unable to penetrate, 
and never will be until some inspired effort has pierced 
that misty and cloudy mind, made so by early dog- 
matisms that have been so thoroughly impregnated into 
that sensitive structure of the brain, that its impressions 
remain long after the new and correct ones have super- 
seded them. 

Often it is only by parting with former friends and 
environments that one is ever able to advance with the 
progressing world. 

There is but one principle of life that I can compre- 
hend, and that is a life everlasting. Now if that be so, 
it must be a life of progression ; and as we live forever, 
an improvement of the mind is one of the most essential 



12 SCIENCE OF LIFE. 

things for that life. The earlier our mental condition is 
subjected to a clear and distinct realization of what is 
expected of us in the way of mental development, the 
more useful will life be, both to ourselves and mankind. 

It is evident to my mind that we are placed on this 
earth for a useful purpose in one way or another. We 
cannot all be philosophers or astronomers. It is not 
within all natures to grasp readily ideas pointing to those 
sciences, but it does lie in our nature to be inventive, 
erudite or one of the many hundreds of ways by which 
we may be useful to this progressive world. 

Indolence is one of the derogatory features of the 
development of the human mind, and the individual who 
possesses this nefarious habit is one of the greatest hin- 
drances to mental progression. Indolence is more often 
a habit than a physical defect, and may sometimes be 
ascribed to reading light literature, or by not reading at 
all. When the mind is not occupied and there is nothing 
to bring it into action the habit becomes thoroughly es- 
tablished, and it would have been better by far for an in- 
dividual thus afflicted never to have been born, so far as 
the intelligence of the world is concerned, as he is a 
hindrance to all those who unfortunately come in con- 
tact with him. This individual is the one who attempts 
to thwart all new ideas, and by nature endeavors to 
keep others on the same plane of intelligence with him- 
self. 

Presuming that facts might be proven conclusively to 
the world which would bring our earthly condition more 
perfectly in contact with that of the spirit realm of 
man's higher nature, we would be better prepared to 
deal with conclusions in their clear and distinct light, as 
we would be dealing with our spirtual or better nature. 



SCIENCE OF LIFE. 13 

When we are able to cast off those earthly conditions 
that exist with the majority of the human family, the 
world will grow better, intelligence will reign where 
ignorance now exists. 

It is education, training of the mind, dealing with 
facts, problems which we may be able to solve, new 
thoughts, new ideas advanced of which we now are un- 
aware, new help and assistance of spiritual influences 
brought to bear upon us mortals that will live and el- 
evate our minds to more high and lofty thoughts. When 
we open our souls to a conviction of a higher life, we 
then begin to live a life of regeneration. Sublimity of 
thought is a purification of the soul, and with this idea 
existing in our mind, we may be hopeful, if not in our 
own day, of elevating the life of the future, that coming 
generations will be benefited by our present existence. 
We today are not so far removed from barbarism. This 
may seem a harsh term to use, but when we can look into 
the future and see what is opening up to the coming 
minds, the progress, and the enjoyment of that progress, 
in which the coming generation may take pleasure, will 
be a paradise to them as they look back on past history. 

We today would not care to exist in the atmosphere 
which surrounded our ancestors five hundred years ago, 
and they at that period realized their enlightenment over 
their past, as we do today. We have our duties to per- 
form in the way of development, as did our ancestors. 
It appears impossible sometimes to prove to the human 
mind the necessity of a forethought, the benefit of which 
the rising generation may enjoy. Had our ancestors not 
realized this fact, we today would be in darkness, as they 
of the past. 

Progression has opened a new era to the people of 



14 SCIENCE OF LIFE. . 

earth, by which they may receive great enjoyments, and 
it is only by retrospection that we can appreciate those 
realities. But time on its wings of everlasting life flits 
by with only a thought of the past, and we in our spir- 
itual nature should let the dead past care for its dead, 
and allow enlightenment and thoughts of intelligence and 
happiness to reign superlative in our minds. 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 15 



CHAPTER III. 

PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

When we follow the laws of nature we preserve our 
physical condition and encourage longevity ; but in order 
to do this we must first understand those laws, and I 
know of no better way to acquire this knowledge than 
to follow sciences with an unbiased mind. 

There are books published today that may give us 
the information necessary for our own protection, but 
they should be selected with caution, or under the super- 
vision of a scientific mind. The brute of creation by his 
natural instinct lives more nearly in accordance with 
the laws of nature than the human family, from the fact 
that he is not swayed by mental influences. He is guid- 
ed by his own feelings and desires, and not by the fash- 
ions, or what his associates or friends may say. 

Man, with all of his presumptuous knowledge, is weak. 
He is swayed by influences that ofttimes are incorrect. 
He has not the stability to follow the laws prescribed 
by science, as such laws are not in keeping with the 
laws that the churches or his forefathers taught. Sci- 
ences have made radical changes in every vocation of 
life ; many ideas of twenty-five years ago are passed into 



16 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS, 

oblivion by the thinking world, although these erroneous 
ideas are still adhered to by those who have ceased to 
progress. The established philosophical laws, or laws 
of nature, always remain the same. 

Man is an infant all his life, and requires protection. 
He is constantly appealing in mind to some one as au- 
thority on whom he can lean to shirk responsibilities, 
and in doing so he loses his identity, or lessens his 
originality. In looking for some such person he is most 
likely to cast his lot with an irresponsible individual 
who is always pleased with the opportunity to part gra- 
tuitously with his store of imaginary knowledge. It ii 
by this means that weak minds are filled with useless 
and erroneous information, and follow these lines 
through their whole earthly existence, being too indo- 
lent to search for the truths from a source by which they 
could not go astray. 

These people when accosted in regard to these lines 
of thought will cite their imaginary authority, believing 
it to have come from an authentic source, or when forced 
by conclusive evidence of this error, admit it and ex- 
cuse themselves with the plea that they have never had 
an opportunity for receiving the correct information, dis- 
regarding the truth of their indolence. Of this class 
the majority of the world is composed, and in no way is 
it phenomenal that there is a retarding spirit existing 
by which the advancement of sciences is not more rapid 
with the populace. 

The mind of man requires a greater training in the 
laws of nature to more readily understand its workings, 
and should be given these privileges in early youth. Our 
district schools are today to a limited degree starting out 
upon these lines, and it is to be hoped that the higher 



PREPARATORY. TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 17 

officials will see that the instructors are prepared to im- 
part the necessary intelligence required, as from the 
young minds the knowledge proceeds to promote a great- 
er advancement in the studies of natural science. The 
laws of those sciences are so closely allied with the im- 
mortal world that a knowledge of these laws should be 
thoroughly understood by the preceptors of all institu- 
tions of education. The psychological as well as the 
physiological laws should be understood and taught, and 
as thoroughly as all other branches of science. The 
world begins to realize and comprehend these facts, and 
the poor and ignorant should have an equal opportunity 
with those of wealth and higher education. 

Concentration of thought is the first rudiment in culti- 
vating the mind for inspired development of a higher 
education. By this principle we may be able to develop 
our psychic forces to receive our spiritual influences. 
By concentrating the mind man is able to grasp ideas 
more readily and to overcome the influences of his sur- 
roundings. The natural laws of psychology, although 
not as thoroughly understood by the public as the laws 
of physiology, should go hand in hand through this ed- 
ucational career of development of the mental faculties. 
Physiology is the law by which the physical body is con- 
trolled and governed in its normal condition. Psychol- 
ogy is the law by which the spiritual nature of man is 
governed and controlled. One of these faculties should 
be as thoroughly understood as the other, as they are 
both the life and the iight of man. The psychical laws 
of nature govern the spiritual and intellectual conditions 
of the mind, while the physiological control the physical 
functions of the body and the brain wnich the spirit in- 
habits. The spirit is the controlling force of the universe. 



18 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

The physiological are the laws of man which the spirit 
supervises and controls. When the physical body tires 
of the spiritual, then the spirit leaves the physical, and 
the body goes back to mother earth. This is called 
death. 

We see that this harmonious union between the two 
important elements that go to make up the life of man 
is necessary to be understood, that the development of 
both may reach the highest stage of perfection possible 
in earthly life, and the world receive the greatest benefit 
of the union of those two necessary constituents. 

Time with its unlocked doors of knowledge, is fast 
releasing from the bondage within those so-called secrets 
to the world, that the public may come to understand 
more fully, or more accurately, the composition of which 
this earthly life consists, the laws of its existence and 
the final future results. When our institutions of educa- 
tion will accept and teach these natural truths of nature 
that the world may understand the propriety of their 
existence, and the revelation of the human mind in its 
true and spiritual light, then the prison bars, the gallows, 
and other instruments of torture will not be necessary. 
It is a higher education of the mind that will control 
these laws in which this earth may dispense with all bar- 
barity or anything pertaining thereto that is practiced 
en this mundane sphere. When these things can be ac- 
complished, which may take many years so to do, this 
earth will be free from bigotry and selfishness, and peo- 
ple will pass sentence upon each other in a spiritual 
light, which will create harmony of souls. The origin 
of this higher education may take root at the mother's 
knee, when she exerts her spiritual nature over the first 
thoughts of the young and developing mind. 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 19 

As all sciences begin to develop in the minds of the 
thinking or scientific world, and all lofty thoughts and 
higher lives are brought out by these same minds, so it 
is that truths must be developed by the scientific or think- 
ing world, and instilled by degrees into the minds of the 
populace, as the less thinking world will cry out against 
all thoughts and ideas that have not for many years been 
forced into their unfortunate and sluggish brains. Oft- 
times ideas may not take root in a line of these slug- 
gish minds for several generations, but the result of the 
teachings of the laws of natural sciences will come, 
although it may be generations in developing in defiance 
of the arbitrary disposition of the human family. 

The human family varies in its chemical composition 
as does all animal or vegetable life. Fruits, vegetables, 
and cereals have their separate and distinct flavors and 
consistencies, and these may vary according to the con- 
ditions and state of cultivation under which they exist, 
flavor, beauty and effulgence being brought out by a 
high state of cultivation. By the training and cultivation 
of the human mind all of the superior qualities may be 
developed. 

On walking through an apple orchard the trees, by 
careful cultivation and pruning brought to a degree of 
perfection, may resemble each other, but on tasting the 
fruits, the flavors are recognized to be widely differ- 
ent and the appearance of the same as various. The 
scion of one tree engrafted into another will produce 
an entirely different variety. 

This illustrates the human family with a variety of 
minds and dispositions, as recognized by an astute ob- 
server, springing apparently from like stock. The culti- 
vation of minds and environments under which they are 



20 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

cultivated will likewise compare to the training of the 
tree. The same individuals by crossing in marriage 
may rear a family quite unlike themselves, both in gen- 
eral appearance arid intelligence. 

Each variety of fruit and vegetation has its own hab- 
itat. Fruits or vegetables of tropical climate will not 
thrive in a temperate or frigid atmosphere. They have 
their own habitat and are adapted to no other. Neither 
could they supply a satisfactory nourishment for inhab- 
itants of other climates. The inhabitants of a climate are 
constituted for that particular climate, it being their 
habitat, and they are out of their condition in any other. 
They have their own peculiarities, as does the food upon 
which they subsist. The same law that holds good for 
the animal kingdom holds likewise for the vegetable. 
Thus we see that these natural laws go on in perfection, 
unable to err, unchangeable, as in perfection they cannot 
change. Each country or climate has its own peculiari- 
ties in the animal and vegetable life, in their general 
appearance and colors. As the tropics gives its own 
peculiar attributes to its fruits, it likewise does the same 
to its animal kingdom. The lion or tiger of that tem- 
perature could not exist in the atmosphere of the frigid 
or temperate zone, any more than could the vegetable 
kingdom. They are there for their own particular pur- 
pose, and there they should exist. 

The minds of people in the torrid climate are sluggish. 
Vegetable life is of spontaneous growth to meet the de- 
mands of the inhabitants, they being not far removed 
from the brute creation. In the temperate zone the in- 
tellectual faculties are of a higher standard, where it 
is necessary to exert the mind to meet the emergencies 
of life. Nature has provided the human family with 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 21 

these faculties. I do not mean to say that the inhabitants 
of the hot countries could not develop higher intelligence 
should they be subjected to the same environments as 
those of our temperate climate. Nature does not make 
that demand upon them ; therefore they follow their nat- 
ural inclinations which are in keeping with nature in 
that sluggish atmosphere. As time advances, intelli- 
gence of a higher order creeps into these less progressive 
countries, and the inhabitants awaken to the fact that 
in order to keep pace with these intruders they must 
arouse their dormant faculties, although with great ef- 
fort, to meet the demands of these enterprising intruders. 

It is a commercial interest, the result of pride, that 
has brought people here, by which the dormant minds 
may receive a reward through enlightenment. This 
same greed for gain which the civilized world is seek- 
ing, may arouse this stupid, ignorant population to a 
state of higher mental development. All of which is the 
following out of the laws of nature conscious of the 
final results. 

As rapidly as these minds are prepared for knowledge 
it is given them. The conditions must be changed in or- 
der for them to receive it. The cannibals cease to be can- 
nibals when civilization changes their condition, and this 
civilization is the progressive law of nature. 

From the higher life of the immortal world down to 
cannibalism, everything is conditional, and except proper 
conditions are made, the human mind can never pro- 
gress. 

As the fruit and vegetable life in different climates re- 
quires different conditions of soil and climatic changes, 
so it is with the people of those same climates. As there 
is a variety of the same class of fruit, so is there a variety 



22 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHYrOF RELIGIONS. 

of the minds of men. There must be as many varieties 
of conditions as of minds, that all may be reached for 
the same purpose. What will prove a fact to you, to 
your surprise, your friend scorns. This world is com- 
posed of all these various minds. 

Should all minds think the same, they all might be 
carpenters, farmers or philosophers, and there would be 
but one idea necessary for the entire population. But 
to meet the demands of the world as we find it, to prove 
a truth to the world, we must apply the variety of thought 
to reach each of these various minds. 

Nature has a law by which this mammoth universe 
is controlled. From the endless space which is beyond 
the mind's grasp, dotted here and there with the various 
planetary systems, down to the most minute micro-organ- 
ism which seeks its way into the system of man to create 
disease and cause the death of the physical body, this 
universe is controlled by one great, powerful and uni- 
versal law, and that law is the law of nature. 

The tide of the sea, the change of seasons, the earth- 
quake shock, the upheavals and receding of portions of 
the earth's crust, daylight and darkness, storm and sun- 
shine, life, health, happiness, and prosperity, or sickness 
and death of the physical body, are the workings of this 
one great principle. At times it appears to man that 
the whole universe was made for his own particular 
selfish purpose. He looks upon the beautiful green earth 
with its sweet, perfumed flowers and foliage, with here 
and there a river or stream, a lake or ocean, the heavens 
above dotted with stars, the moon with its light by night, 
and the glorious sun with its effulgent rays by day, and 
then he looks up to the heavens above and repeats, with 
calm and contented satisfaction, "Oh, ye controlling 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 23 

forces of the universe, I am thankful for my existence." 
Nature is then most beautiful. But when, on the other 
hand, adversities stare him in the face, sickness and 
death follow, he feels~ that nature has been unjust, and 
there is meted out to him that which he does not deserve. 
Then he cannot comprehend that the same laws of nature 
are operating as did in the former case. Through 
the early training these forces cannot be comprehended, 
and through ignorance or intent it is possible that these 
laws may have been violated ; otherwise nature is work- 
ing out her laws as prescribed, and it is not possible to 
resist that great and powerful force. Man, as a mere 
microscopical speck of nature, by no power of his own 
can resist the winds and storms, neither can he prevent 
the tides of the ocean from flowing ; nor is it possible 
for him to cause this little earth to stand still. When he 
can arrive at that period of understanding wherein the 
principles and truths of the laws of nature can be com- 
prehended, he will then be able to appreciate his condi- 
tions in relation to these profound principles. 

These laws are by nature perfect, and nothing but 
influences from perfect or divine minds can interfere. 
Should it be possible so to do, the harmony of nature 
would be broken and a disastrous result follow, which is 
the case in human life. These laws may be broken, but 
they cannot be changed. They go on forever, just the 
same as though man did not exist, and will continue for- 
ever and eternally. 

Calamities of a momentous nature may arise, cities be 
wiped out of existence by storms and earthquakes, planets 
in the heavens be broken up, but still that great law of 
the universe does not cease to exist. 

The question may be asked, Whence come all these 

3 



24 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

forces? Science answers by saying, They have always 
existed as they are today. Man did not make them, as 
man could not exist without them. God did not make 
them, for God is these laws, if they should be given such 
a name. These laws are perfection, and God is consid- 
ered perfection ; therefore, if preferred, let them be called 
God. These laws are the father of the universe, or of all 
good. It matters not by what name they exist, the name 
does not prevent their existence. They may be called 
God, as by that name they give a reverential feeling to 
those who are taught that way ; but that does not prove 
that these laws were compounded by a personal divinity. 

Had chemical and philosophical principles not exist- 
ed, mortal or immortal could not have, for want of ma- 
terial, been made ; hence mdn in this instance follows the 
law. 

As this law of forces governs and controls the entire 
universe, all planets and bodies therein are under the 
subjection of this universal law. Magnetism is a great 
and powerful constituent of these wonderful forces, as 
by that all substances of whatever nature are held in 
their respective positions. 

All planetary bodies are held in their respective places 
by the law of attraction, and that law is magnetism. 
The vibratory motion is the sustaining power of all ani- 
mate life, and by vibratory force we are able to see, hear, 
feel and think ; in fact, all of our senses are kept in ac- 
tion by this force of nature. 

The life of the immortal world is sustained by this 
same motion and magnetic force, and it is only by mag- 
netic attraction that they are enabled to reach us on this 
mundane sphere. 

Magnetism is a necessary element in man's composi- 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 25 

tion. By it he is able to attract and be attracted. By it 
the blood is transmitted through his veins, and life and 
energy exist. The more he possesses, the more he at- 
tracts. By this force the time will come when thought 
will be transmitted between persons at a great distance, 
as with man and his friends in the immortal spheres. 
All thoughts sent thereby, they receive as by electric 
wire, and upon request, should they contain the same 
magnetism, at once can return to him. 

Each individual has a magnetism of his own kind 
which will explain why it may be impossible for immor- 
tals to be in touch with all here. Incomprehensibly per- 
sons void of attraction for each other may meet on this 
earth. Their magnetisms do not blend, or, in other 
words, they are not en rapport. The same holds good 
in the immortal world, as they are not changed other 
than that they have rid themselves of their physical 
body. They are living under the same natural laws, but 
by ridding themselves of physical hindrance, and being 
purely mental, are more susceptible to mental or other 
influences. 

By developing the mental faculties under spiritual 
influences, man may be able to undergo an entire chem- 
ical change, by which he may receive the same influences 
as those of his immortal friends. By so doing his mag- 
netism will be metamorphosed to that extent that his 
own friends may scarcely recognize him, in which a feel- 
ing of unrest may exist in his presence, until they are 
able to become en rapport with him. 

These illustrations of the laws and forces of nature are 
being more thoroughly understood by the thinking world, 
as there are more opportunities for study along those 
lines, as science is awakening to the facts of the existence 



26 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

of laws which have so unfortunately been hidden in the 
past by bigotry. 

Time alone will solve all hidden facts which have been 
closeted by old-time religious ignorance and supersti- 
tion. When the mind breaks the bonds that have for so 
many years bound it to a prescribed routine of mental 
studies, and is awakened to the fact that all of this great 
universe of knowledge has never been maintained, then 
man will be ready to receive and impart it without iear 
of derision. Nature is the only work that is perfect, and 
should man in his earnestness offer a suggestion that 
should prove an error, why should he lament? The 
truths are made up of broken suggestions. He should go 
ahead and prove what he can. Does the miner suspend 
work because his findings are not all gold? He keeps 
right on and extracts what gold it contains, throwing 
away the dross. 

Should all investigators of the laws governing the im- 
mortal world cease their labors because their truths were 
denounced, the probability is we would never have been 
brought face to face with these laws. Had the old dog- 
mas been adhered to by scientific investigators, the revo- 
lutions of this globe on which we live would never have 
been recognized. 

The scientific men of the world must lead in the devel- 
opment of all facts. Their minds are trained to disre- 
gard all obstacles and disappointments. They live a life 
within themselves, impervious to the scoffs and frowns 
of discouraging humanity ; and well it is that bright 
lights spring up from out this tumultuous world, in- 
spired with knowledge and determination to fathom the 
depth of human mysteries, undaunted by any influences 
that the less thinking world may produce. 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 27 

Ofttimes on retrospection, my mind is diverted to in- 
stances wherein great minds have been scourged in their 
effort to disclose the hidden mysteries of life which are 
so important to the welfare and comforts of the world 
at large, and it is with sorrowful regrets that these in- 
stances are so vividly photographed in my memory. 
These refutations have and always will exist, hopefully 
to a diminishing degree, until time with its glowing 
lights of intelligence will strew the pathway of the read- 
ing world with literature that may dispel all glimmer of 
superstition and ignorance. 

As time advances with its increased intelligence, the 
way is growing brighter for the mind of man to become 
expanded, and not dwell upon immediate surroundings 
as though they comprised this fathomless universe, but 
to broaden his mind and endeavor to fathom all that a 
short mortal life can find intelligence so to do ; to break 
away from family, church, and friends in thoughts, if 
necessary, and not allow himself to think all that can be 
encompassed lies within the circle of family, church, 
friends or town. He should remind himself that there 
are other families and circles that may possibly contain 
more knowledge than that in which he dwells, that even 
on the far opposite side of the globe there may exist 
minds of equal or superior intelligence. He must rec- 
ognize another, an immortal, world connected with his 
own, where exist minds that have had far greater priv- 
ileges to increase their store of knowledge by many more 
years of experience. There are other worlds existing in 
this great universe, that by time have developed far 
greater minds, and these worlds have their own immor- 
tal worlds, not unlike our own, in which minds have gone 
to dwell after their earthly bodies have passed to decay. 



28 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

After pondering over this expansive universe, and 
realizing its immensity, would it not appear strange to 
hear man advocate that this world, this speck in the 
great fathomless universe, was the only world existing 
therein? Should this occur, we could but proclaim him 
idiotic or insane. I venture there are but few who would 
apprise him of their opinion ; and yet how many of these 
same minds that would avail themselves of this oppor- 
tunity, think and believe that which is equally as prepos- 
terous, and through their bigotry are ignorant of the 
fact. The narrow-minded man is looking for the faults 
of others, while he to himself appears faultless. He 
spends his time looking for others' faults, and by so do- 
ing neglects himself. 

The man who devotes his time and energy in endeav- 
oring to educate others to his own ideas, ofttimes is the 
one who has never taken time to educate himself, and 
one who never receives knowledge from others — a man 
who is content with his own intelligence. 

I have known people to believe their parents were the 
only source from which they could receive knowledge — 
and to desire none other. Others believe their priest to 
be the fountain of knowledge, and accept no other, 
should he not permit them that privilege. These poor, 
ignorant, subdued, fear-controlled minds are to be pitied. 
They would not dare assert that the world was round if 
parents or priest said it was flat. They are subjects of 
their own educators or masters, and through fear they 
remain in ignorance. Frequently have I heard these 
people say, "I would not dare to let my parents know I 
have read such a book, as it is against their principles ;" 
or, "I would not dare to read such a work, as Father 
would make me do penance for so doing." So 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 29 

long as this state of ignorance exists, this class of people 
will be unable to progress, and the extremes of ignorance 
and intelligence will be manifested. I ofttimes think 
not until the ignorant are prevented from generating, or 
some new intelligent faiths are instituted, will the dog- 
mas that hold the less thinking world in darkness ever 
be eradicated. 

It is not in accordance with nature that these minds are 
kept in ignorance, as nature is progressive. Take the 
child when his mind is beginning to develop, and listen 
to his many interrogations. He has a natural talent and 
desire to ascertain the facts and solutions of everything 
that comes within the radius of his hearing or vision, and 
only by subjection does he cease his inquisitiveness. 
Should he then be given the light that he through na- 
ture's laws is seeking, the world would be both wiser 
and better for his existence. No ; there must be then 
instilled into his young and aspiring mind some old re- 
ligious dogmas admonishing him to refrain from investi- 
gating many subjects which a vengeful God does not de- 
sire him to understand. Through fear and a desire to do 
right he ceases his inquisitiveness, feeling that he must 
content himself with that which his parents or guardians 
feel disposed to impart unto him. This is the beginning 
of a ruined mind. 

As time goes by evil thoughts creep into this mind to 
fill the vacuum created by the lack of intelligence — some- 
thing upon which it can feast — and the result is a crim- 
inal forced upon the world through the bigotry and 
ignorance of its educators, with none other to blame for 
its reckless and evil inclined disposition. This frequently 
accounts for the bright minds of a family going astray. 

Should this mind have received the intelligence that 



30 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

it was seeking in its youth, and allowed to continue its 
natural proclivities by offering it greater advantages in 
keeping with its advancements, taking care to develop 
the spiritual side of its nature, by concentrating the mind 
upon intelligent subjects and allowing the immortal world 
to bring out the superior and finer qualities of the mind, 
it doubtless instead of developing into a criminal would 
have brought out not only a mind of which the world 
would have been proud, but a bright light which might 
be followed as an example of intelligence and manhood. 

The world is prone to resist those things that appear 
as impossibilities, and only the investigating or scientific 
mind seeks the knowledge of their existence. It is the 
bigoted, selfish mind, through the pen or lingual ex- 
pression, that is endeavoring to prove to the world the 
existence of impossibilities. It is that which is responsi- 
ble to a greater or less extent for the ignorance that ex- 
ists in the minds of the populace. I sometimes feel as 
though I were wasting my time and spending my force 
and energy in an attempt to portray to the world the 
truth of my investigations when I realize that it is the 
public press, the living organ of human thought, that I 
have to contend with in my effort to expound the truths ; 
but upon reflecting and considering that all scientific in- 
vestigators have encountered this same perplexity, I feel 
it my duty to humanity to bear my share of the burden, 
and with this determination in mind I have made this 
one more effort of my life to enlighten the public upon 
a subject of which they are ignorant. 

It is only by degrees that the public will accept these 
truths, even though the whole facts are flashed before 
them by a searchlight of intelligence. When a sub- 
ject of intelligence springs from oblivion of thought, 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 31 

there are only portions of that intelligence that are ac- 
cepted by the public at once ; and as time passes, and 
the public reflects upon intelligence, it then by degrees 
is enabled to penetrate the depth and fathom the realities 
of that portion which the mind is able to grasp ; and as 
these intelligences are constantly kept in the minds of the 
public, they accustom themselves after a time, becoming 
more acquainted with the ideas, until they are finally ac- 
cepted as a whole. It is in this way that the average 
mind progresses, and only a few bright minds are able to 
grasp an intelligence as a whole, and fathom its mean- 
ing ; and were it not for those few minds, the world to- 
day would exist in far greater ignorance than it does. 
It is through these bright lights that the rays of intelli- 
gence are penetrating into the vision of the less thinking 
world. 

It still remains with me a mystery why this intelli- 
gence of the laws of nature, governing the two connected 
worlds of mortal and immortal life, with all the demon- 
strations that have been given to the public, should not 
be better understood and appreciated. The mortal mind 
appears to think and believe that because he himself is 
existing in mortal life he should not give himself any 
concern as to the knowledge of the future life, although 
that is a part of his existence, and so closely allied to 
the life in which he lives. He reminds me of characters 
that only live for the present moment. He eats his 
hearty meal with content, devouring all there is before 
him, with no desire to think or care for what he may 
have to subsist on for future meals, eventually becoming 
a nuisance to the prosperous world. Thus it is with the 
mind of a man who thinks only of the life in which he 
lives. When the life of the physical body becomes ex- 



32 PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

hausted, and he realizes that he and his body must part, 
then he recalls instances that he has disregarded. He 
realizes that he is to remain on earth no longer, and in 
the agony of desire for knowledge of that future, annoys 
all who surround him with ignorant pleading for some 
one to assist him in saving his soul ; whereas should he 
have improved his intellect when opportunity offered it- 
self, he would have understood the nature of this coming 
life, and developed his mind so that he would have un- 
derstood the condition in which he was to emerge upon 
entering that life, and consequently avoided the annoy- 
ance of bewailing his supposed lost condition. Further- 
more, upon entering that life, instead of being confused, 
and unable to ascertain the truth of his uncertain condi- 
tion, or why he was wandering in the dark unable to 
understand where he was, and then seeking for knowl- 
edge that might explain away these uncertainties, he 
would have understood all of this before his departure 
from mortal life, and upon entering the immortal life he 
would have had a clear and distinct knowledge and under- 
standing of all his uncertainties. 

Should human minds accept these truths and become 
educated in accordance with these views as the immortal 
world is so ready and willing to demonstrate to them 
the truth of the situation, and accept and receive the 
knowledge intelligently, instead of listening to sermons 
upon a heaven and hell with a question existing in the 
mind as to which place they were liable to occupy on 
entering the future with that uncertainty that accom- 
panies these pagan doctrines, they would have knowl- 
edge of a certainty of what the future life consists, and 
a line of life, or guidance, which, by following, would 



PREPARATORY TO PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 33 

reveal the condition of life in the immortal world they 
would occupy. 

The foregoing portrays the difference between a the- 
oretical uncertainty and a positive truth, and the ques- 
tion follows, Which of these two will the thinking mind 
accept for its instruction for the future life? A theo- 
retical uncertainty always leaves us in doubt, with a rest- 
less mind, should it be of ever so trivial a nature, while 
a conclusively demonstrated truth relieves the mind of 
that uncertainty, requiring no further proof. How often 
on hearing the clergy lecture on a future destiny and the 
uncertainty accompanying that future, has it given rise 
to a thought in my mind of what an unsatisfactory con- 
dition of mind must exist in one who has accepted that 
doctrine as a guide for his future condition ; and when 
the speaker would explain with his greatest assurance 
that we are all poor sinners, it has made me feel that it 
must be with great regret that these followers are exist- 
ing in mortal life, and the accompanying sorrow with 
which they return to their homes with no hope of better- 
ing that condition is sad indeed. 

Should I believe that I was a poor sinner and would 
always remain as such, I could but think the sooner my 
earthly life was ended the better would be my condition, 
and it would be with difficulty that I could refrain from 
exterminating that life ; but, on the contrary, as I know 
that I am not a poor, miserable sinner, and fully under- 
stand the position I will occupy in the immortal world, 
there goes out from my heart a satisfaction and joy in 
the knowledge of my existence, and there remains no 
desire for self-destruction. 



34 PHILOSOPHY OF THE THREE CLASSES OF MEN. 



CHAPTER IV. 

PHILOSOPHY OF THE THREE CLASSES OF MEN. 

There will be a time ere long when the laws governing 
the immortal world will be as clearfy understood by mor- 
tals as are the conditions of earth. That which I am now 
endeavoring to explain in a simple manner that the world 
may comprehend, will in the future excite a feeling of 
wonderment at the possibility of the human mind ever 
having existed in ignorance of matters of so common a 
nature. 

As assistance in the development of unacknowledged 
sciences has been looked upon with scorn in the past, so 
also will it be in the future so long as time shall last. 

When Newton discovered the laws of gravitation, de- 
risive comments were showered upon him for that sup- 
posedly unreasonable idea. The world supported the 
theory that it was natural for things to fall down, not 
apparently being aware of the laws of gravitation. 

When Fulton discovered the propelling power of 
steam as applied to vessels, the world then looked upon 
him with scorn, and when accomplished, some said it 
was the devil's work that helped him. We now feel 
very kindly to the devil for so good a work. 



PHILOSOPHY OF THE THREE CLASSES OF MEN. 35 

Thus it is with the development of all new ideas of 
whatever nature. The world is prone to fight against 
a new proposition, not giving thought to the great ben- 
efits that may be derived therefrom, but preferring to 
cling to the old, making themselves slaves to ignorance. 
Were it not for the brighter minds that are able to see 
far into the future, the transportation of today would be 
by oxen, as many years in the past. . There would be no 
drainage system for our large cities, and our drinking 
water would be supplied from wells polluted with sew- 
age and filth. The same old ships would be plying the 
ocean, instead of the mammoth steel-constructed, steam- 
propelled monsters of today. 

Kind nature with her revolutionary tendency has been 
able to bring out her bright lights in man — the noblest 
work of creation — the necessary inventions and sciences, 
by which the world has been supplied with its needs in 
accordance with the multiplicity of the human family. 

Through exertion and perseverance, science has over- 
come the many obstacles that have been thrown in the 
way of all industrious efforts of progression by the ob- 
durate and avengeful world ; yet this same retarding ele- 
ment cannot help but acknowledge the many privileges 
they have experienced from those advanced ideas. 

The intelligence of the world is controlled by the 
minds of comparatively few, and a portion following in 
their wake, while the remainder give no thought or con- 
sideration to any of the workings or the final results. 

Nature has endowed three classes of minds with dif- 
ferent capacities. The first, or mind of greatest mental 
development, is the originator of an idea ; the second, or 
lesser, being the one that grasps the idea and assists in 
its construction ; the third, the least mentally developed, 



2,6 PHILOSOPHY OF THE THREE CLASSES OF MEN. 

possesses the greatest physical power of endurance, and 
performs the physical labor in carrying out the idea and 
consummating the work of the invention. 

These three classes are supposed, by the laws of na- 
ture, to be in harmony with each other in working out 
these final results ; and should the spiritual nature of man 
be fully developed, as nature designed, they, no doubt, 
still would be in harmony. 

It is not the higher intellectual mind that is the breed- 
er of discontent, as that mind is spiritual, and above any 
principles of so low a nature. It is the second class, the 
followers, with little or no spiritual nature, who depress 
the less fortunate until it becomes unbearable, and they 
are compelled to revolt. 

There may not always be justice in their procedure 
of revolt, as they are not always competent to judge as 
to their beneficial limitation, and their leaders being of 
a selfish, determined disposition, may lead them, as they 
frequently do, beyond the border of right and justice, 
and in consequence a calamity ensues. After they have 
arrived at the conclusion that they have been wronged 
and their minds become poisoned by that realization, it 
is ever with difficulty that that same confidence is re- 
stored, no matter what efforts of restoration eventually 
may be resorted to. This is the animal nature in man 
that predominates and will assert itself regardless of all 
following results. 

Should no higher spiritual education be instilled in 
the minds of these natural disturbers between the less 
developed minds, trouble of a grievous nature ensues, in 
which bloodshed and disaster will prevail, which might 
be averted, as many years are required to produce this 
change, and not until a higher mental attainment is 



PHILOSOPHY OF THE THREE CLASSES OF MEN. 37 

reached can we expect the change, an uprising between 
capital and labor will take place, and a civil war between 
these two parties will be the final result. Ignorance and 
religion in past history have been the prime movers in 
the majority of conflicts in which human lives have been 
sacrificed, and until a higher standard of intelligence is 
reached, they will remain the cause. It has been a repe- 
tition for thousands of years, and will still be repeated 
until the time when knowledge is power throughout the 
entire world. 

The spirit of man is the light of the universe, and as 
the immortal world contains the higher spiritual lights, 
it appeals to man to look to them for assistance to a 
higher plane of mental attainment. Should he regard 
this truth and accept it through his mental development, 
he will be able to aspire to a high mental knowledge of 
the laws of nature of which the immortal world is a part, 
and by which he will be enabled to fill his mind with all 
the gifts of power that are necessary to develop the 
minds beneath him. This is a duty he owes to his fellow 
man of a less spiritual endowment, that he may be en- 
abled to receive the true light of nature's laws of the re- 
lation of man to man and their relative position to the 
immortal world. 



38 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 



CHAPTER V. 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 



The dawn of a new day is at hand. The light of intel- 
ligence is breaking through the mist of uncertainty, and 
the effulgent rays of knowledge are illuminating the 
horizon of intellectuality. Old dogmatisms, bigotry and 
idolatry are passing into the shadow of forgetfulness. 
As the shadows deepen and the relentless visions disap- 
pear from view, the light of the beginning of eternity 
can be seen breaking through in the distance, and as we 
stand on the bank of that border line we are able to look 
without an imaginary vision on the shores of two worlds, 
as clearly and serenely as nature's searchlight will per- 
mit. That midnight darkness of unwarranted ignorance 
is being decomposed by the light of intelligence, and 
there remains nothing to obscure our vision from pen- 
etrating both the mortal and immortal worlds. 

By accepting the truths of nature's perfect laws, all 
mortals may enjoy this delightful privilege, as nature, 
with its freedom of thought-producing principles has 
no secrets from man of earth, but has given him mind 
and intelligence that he may accept all that is and can 
be revealed to him. Man with all of these noble char- 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 39 

acteristics bestowed upon him should never lie down and 
let time go by without improving each passing moment, 
that his wisdom may enlighten and elevate the minds of 
the rising generations, and fit their spiritual lives for 
the life beyond the grave, where their friends on that 
shore are waiting with outstretched arms to receive 
them. 

The days of darkness and lack of opportunity for 
knowledge have faded into oblivion, and today the world 
is holding out these opportunities to each passer-by with 
no restrictions as to how far he may go with his intelli- 
gence in his search for wisdom. That bane to intelli- 
gence has been broken by the aggressive mind, and none 
but those who do not desire to avail themselves of this 
favorable opportunity may be left remaining in the 
shadow of doubt and ignorance. Freedom of thought 
and expression, the glories of liberty's republic, are the 
privileges of man for his development of sciences, re- 
gardless of his station, either financially or socially in 
life. This same free and independent gift he may receive 
only by his own exertions and force of will. 

The time with its bane of ignorance that was once so 
thoroughly instilled in the minds of humanity through 
darkness of old, where the suppression of wisdom 
through the ignorant world resulted in burning at the 
stake, has passed and gone, leaving in the memory of 
the rising generation naught but sorrow and regret. It 
is a bright and glorious thought that the human family 
has so fortunately progressed out of this state of ig- 
norance and darkness, and today is enabled to stop and 
philosophize all theories or ideas that may not be ob- 
jective in their minds. 

Today the country, where once dwelt our Puritan 

4 



40 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

Fathers in their ignorance and superstition, although 
with a good determination as far as their intelligence 
permitted, has advanced to a high state of enlightenment. 
In pondering over the history of that date we marvel 
at the strides of progress, and can realize that those 
who were burned at the stake for their wisdom, should 
they be able to exist today, might have laurels showered 
upon them. 

The intelligence to which I refer is the development 
of the spiritual nature of man of which these mortals had 
become endowed. Should it have been accepted by peo- 
ple of that day, the world would be far in advance of 
the present time. The immortal world was seeking a 
channel through which it could disclose to the mortals of 
earth the true light of a future existence, and such other 
advancements as might be its privilege to impart, the 
country at that period requiring knowledge from an ad- 
vanced life. In this effort to produce that intelligence 
men and women were burned at the stake for what 
people at that time termed "witchcraft." The same con- 
dition of intelligence exists today in that same state of 
Massachusetts as did at that earlier period, which is now 
accepted and today it is one of the greatest states of en- 
lightenment upon the subject of the immortal return of 
any portion of the civilized world. Should these truths 
have been recognized at that period, there are no doubts 
existing in my mind but that this country would have 
been far in advance in intelligence, and the lives of 
so many poor, innocent spiritual-minded humanity would 
not have been sacrified. 

Ignorance is today and always has been, a curse to the 
civilized world, and until it is exterminated by a higher 
development of intelligence, will always remain as such. 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 41 

It was ignorance through the guise of religion that left 
that curse on the state of Massachusetts, and it is this 
same influence that is creating sad havoc and bloodshed 
throughout the world today. 

It is with regret that I dwell on these past histories, 
but I do so for the purpose of bringing people to a state 
of realization of these sad monstrosities resulting from 
such influences, and a desire to arouse them to a sense 
of comprehension of the enormity of these crimes 
through ignorance, and incite in them an interest to seek 
the scientific truths of nature's laws, that in the future 
such disasters may be averted. 

Should we be guided by what the less thinking world 
is so anxious to offer, we would always remain in ig- 
norance of the truths of all matters. The world is prone 
to exaggeration upon topics of the most ordinary impor- 
tance. I can only account for the discrepancy in the fact 
that they desire others to believe that they only have re- 
ceived a perfect knowledge of the matter under consid- 
eration, and that it is with great reluctance they now di- 
vulge the truth. They desire the public to believe that 
they contain a superhuman knowledge of the world's se- 
crets, and when they do divulge these secrets they are 
opening up something which the world was never in- 
tended to know. 

Almost every household contains one of these mys- 
terious individuals. They may vary as to the subject, 
but that tendency is there, and it appears impossible to' 
avert it. Cultivation and education will to a great extent 
subdue the desire, but unobserved it will assert itself. 
These people unfortunately become mothers and fathers 
of large families. They are incredulous in their nature, 
only believing what is told them while it is being told. 



42 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

Their own natural tendencies creating their incredulity, 
believing others to be like themselves, upon reflection 
cause them to discredit all others say or do. Through 
parental nature these unfortunates are born into exist- 
ence, and from this existence, skepticism predominates. 

These mysterious people through their possessive fac- 
ulties have done more to retard the growth of sciences 
in the less thinking world than many other freaks of na- 
ture. They attempt to explain that of which they in 
reality possess no knowledge, and the busy or reckless 
associates realizing the untruth of their statements, with 
disgust cease to attempt a further investigation. Wis- 
dom through indolence is lost in mystery. This mys- 
terious mind is always giving a solution to that of which 
it knows absolutely nothing, and of which it is too skep- 
tical to investigate. I found in my investigations into 
the laws controlling the phenomena of the immortal re- 
turn this same class of people who were ready to give 
all the information that the average mind required to re- 
linquish the desire for any further investigations. In not 
heeding this information, I learned the truth of the phe- 
nomenon, and also the truth of their ignorance. 

I had previously heard the phenomena accounted for 
by these people, and pondered in my own mind why 
they possessed so marvelous a talent, and had formed the 
determination that when opportunity was offered I 
would make an investigation of these laws. 

On visiting a materializing seance one evening, my 
little guardian angel came to me and took hold of my 
spectacles, which I was wearing that evening, and said, 
"Now, wait a moment," and in less than fifteen seconds 
she had a duplicate pair, with even the scales on the 
lower edge of the lens, made for close reading. I asked 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 43 

her how she did this. She said, "I made them from 
yours. By a strong magnetic attraction I received par- 
ticles of gold and glass, from which I formed them." 
On stating this to a friend, he remarked, "They were 
hidden, and at the proper time they were brought out 
and used, and she was an impostor." I said, "Your ar- 
gument has caused me to think." He said, "I thought 
so. What do you think?" I said, "Well, I think you 
are a consummate fool." He has acted strangely toward 
me ever since. He was one of the type of which I am 
writing. I believe this unfortunate class of people are 
possessed with a heritage of many generations, which 
only by an educational cultivation can be exterminated. 

An acquaintance of mine and a devout advocate of 
Christianity, on discussing the life beyond that border- 
land, expressed' herself as being satisfied that her friends 
came to her and influenced her in all of her doings, and 
that she was able to see quite clearly into the future 
events that were to follow. She desired my opinion upon 
this subject. This conversation taking place in my office, 
I said to her, "I have positive proof of your assertion." 
She inquired the meaning of my statement. I opened a 
drawer of my desk, taking therefrom specimens of hair, 
saying, "These are taken from the heads of immortals 
materialized in my own house." "Great heavens !" she 
ejaculated. "You don't tell me that. I dare not remain 

here any longer. Should Father know this I 

don't know what he would say to me." I do not believe 
that she has ever visited my office since. This is one of 
many similar instances where confirmation of conclu- 
sions dispels these conclusions. 

The world desires to worship that which does not ex.- 



44 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

ist. In other words, it is willing to pay for a humbug, 
but not willing to accept the truth as a gift. 

An intimate" friend and I, several years ago, were dis- 
cussing the topic of Christianity, and I expressed a 
doubt as to the divinity of Christ, and, further, that there 
was a serious doubt as to the existence of a future world, 
as the proofs were too flimsy for a thinking man to 
recognize, the Bible being no proof to me. He became 
quite angry, and expressed a desire not to converse with 
one who entertained such a sacrilegious idea. Since 
that time by investigation I have proven beyond a ques- 
tion of doubt that there is a continuity of this life beyond 
that borderland, and expressed my belief as such with 
the objective proofs. By so doing I angered him and 
destroyed friendship and all faith in me. 

These circumstances would naturally tend to prove 
that the world is not yet ready for facts and truths, but 
prefer prevarications and impostors instead. It is with 
regret that I must express my honest convictions that 
the teachings of the Bible have had a greater tendency 
to retard intelligence and progression of this life than 
any one thing the world has ever produced. Those who 
teach or are taught are unable to realize it. They are 
not unlike the worshipers of any other idols ; they are 
blinded by their own ignorance. 

Would it not be as well for the Chaldeans to proselyte 
their own biblical ideas as for the Christian world to en- 
deavor to supplant all others? 

Have not the Mohammedans as good a right to prose- 
lyte their cherished religion as any other honest religious 
doctrine? Be honest and broad-minded with all re- 
ligious beliefs and creeds, whatever they may be ; weigh 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 45 

them all, and see if you cannot consider all others just 
as good as the one you yourself are cherishing. 

Stop and think carefully and ask yourself if there is 
in any of the known religions any positive proof for that 
mode of worship. I could not acknowledge any personal 
power higher than myself, therefore I could not worship 
such. It is no worse for man to worship a graven god 
than for man to worship an imaginary God. The former 
can be realized, and the latter cannot ; that is all the dif- 
ference. 

All that I ask of this world is to acquire knowledge 
and truth. Follow the laws of nature in your develop- 
ments, investigate for truths, and you will invariably 
find them. Do not close yourself up in your shell, and 
say, "I know all there is to be known." He that does 
that knows nothing ; neither will he ever know. 

The man who brings out the scientific knowledge is 
one who looks on all sides of a question with an unbiased 
mind ; otherwise he never would have been able to have 
made each side balance and prove a truth. 

All men are not made to be philosophers. Their 
minds are not equally balanced. They may be fitted for 
some other phase of life, but even so, they should not 
hesitate to follow and accept that which is and can be 
proven to all minds. 

The man who has invented the idea is the philosopher. 
He alone may be able to explain and demonstrate that 
idea that all the world prove its workings. The man to 
whom the idea has been demonstrated is then just as 
capable of comprehending its workings as the inventor, 
and perhaps more capable of demonstrating that same 
idea to others. 

Thus the world has no excuse for want of knowledge 



46 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

when it is before them, and demonstrators are only too 
anxious to display their store of knowledge. 

The immortal world has invented new ideas for man 
of earth, the more intelligent minds have grasped them, 
and are now from day to day demonstrating to the less 
thinking world these truths. They do not ask them to 
accept them without demonstration, as the time has gone 
by for men of intelligence to accept an imaginary propo- 
sition. Proven truths are today the only accepted infor- 
mation by the man of intellect, and they must be proven 
beyond any question of doubt. Still, that same man will 
cling to old-fostered ideas that he was taught in his early 
childhood. There is a feeling of reluctance to doubt or 
disperse old-fostered ideas, a consciousness of remorse 
within him for the known or unknown feelings of those 
beloved fathers and mothers, or dispel thoughts that have 
been instilled in his mind under their kind and gentle 
supervision. 

I have very frequently heard people say, "I want no 
different religion," or "I do not care to learn anything 
different from that which my parents taught me. What 
was good enough for them is good enough for me." I 
feel a pity for these poor, indolent, unthinking, contented 
mortals that they should be so perfectly satisfied with the 
scanty knowledge which their parents possessed. Should 
this state of affairs exist forever, what would take place 
with the human family? They would always remain in 
the same state of ignorance as that of the past, and pro- 
gression would be no consideration. In fact, degeneracy 
must of necessity take place, as a mind cannot in my 
judgment remain at one standard. I believe that is na- 
ture's own solution. 

Why should man remain more satisfied with his spir- 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 47 

itual than with his business views? Because he was 
never taught to develop his spiritual nature, there having 
been others to look after that part of his nature, he being 
relieved of that responsibility, the clergyman assuming 
it. Necessity compelled him to develop his own worldly 
nature, that part not being assumed by any sponsor. For 
this reason the church is responsible for the non-develop- 
ment of the spiritual or higher nature of man. Should 
he have been left completely on his own resources, he 
would today be a more perfect man. 

In presenting this subject so frankly to the public, I 
am aware that I am treading on dangerous grounds, as 
that better part of man's nature has experienced such 
slow progress, that he does not care to be touched on 
that point. If you wish to shock or anger a man, touch 
him on his weak points, and you have met your desire. 
The weak points are the parts of any material that re- 
quire strengthening, thus we should dwell upon man's 
neglected portion. Man should be built upon the same 
principle as Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes' "one-hoss shay, 
one part jest as strong as the rest." Then he would have 
no weak or sensitive points. I believe that we should be 
frank and liberal in our views toward each other, that 
we may be of the greatest possible assistance to each 
other. We should control our passions and heed what 
is said, that we may be able to glean therefrom the great- 
est possible benefits, and apply these to our weak points, 
that we may thereby strengthen and increase our men- 
tal condition for knowledge. 

Should the Christian Avorld be brought to under- 
stand that they were worshiping a pagan god, of per- 
haps six or seven thousand years' origin, what would be 
the ultimate result? Would they look for other gods to 



48 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

Avorship, or would they throw it all aside and shoulder 
their own injuries of conscience, and overcome it by the 
good they might be able to do to their fellow-man? 
I can but realize a great moral metamorphosis resulting 
from this latter procedure. When man is brought to un- 
derstand that he must work himself out of his own con- 
dition, he will take better care not to get into it. When 
a child has no parents to look .to for his worldly supply, 
he will be more cautious in necessitating those supplies. 
I believe the sooner man can begin to realize the impor- 
tance of assuming the responsibility of his own acts, the 
better it will be both for himself and the following gen- 
erations. The time is not far distant when this state 
of affairs will be fully realized by the thinking world. 

The sooner the time arrives that man is brought to un- 
derstand that he must stand sponsor for his own acts, 
the more readily will he begin making his preparations 
accordingly, and that much sooner will the world re- 
ceive the benefits therefrom. 

When a man attempts to break up a line of religious 
ideas, no matter of how preposterous a nature, he has 
taken upon himself a task that possibly he may regret. 
I believe in every man acting in accordance with the 
dictates of his own conscience. But I do believe in his 
obtaining the truth of the situation regardless of his be- 
lief. If a man desires to worship Christ, even though 
he be a pagan god of a very ancient origin, what of it? 
It is his own affair, and probably he may take great 
pleasure in so doing. But I want him to know the true 
origin of this God that he may be sure that he is not be- 
ing deceived in the God whom he is worshiping. Should 
he wish to worship Christ, he would not prefer Confu- 
cius, Buddha, or Mohammed, or any other god, and it 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 49 

would be natural for the thinking mind to desire his 
correct history, no matter how much a myth his origin 
might be. Then, again, let no mysterious mind influence 
him in the belief that it was possible for this God from 
any nature of his death to be able to pardon or exempt 
man from sin, be it of ever so heinous a nature. That is 
a wicked fraud, as by so doing it may be a leading temp- 
tation to crime. 

When the human mind is relieved of its personal re- 
sponsibility and its acts are assumed or pardoned by 
some other power, no matter of what nature, at that mo- 
ment it may be made criminal in thought. 

When a man feels that by asking, all of his evil 
thoughts or deeds can at once be eradicated, it relaxes 
his conservative nature, and will not prevent the com- 
mitting of crime when it affords him any pleasure so to 
do. In other words, he will wrong his neighbor, if he 
reaps a benefit by so doing. These are contrary to the 
true laws governing the spiritual nature of man. 

The teachings of the church do not develop man's 
spiritual nature, and in consequence he becomes worldly. 
I always feel very cautious of a man who exhibits his 
church principles, as he contains no spiritual develop- 
ment and invariably will take undue advantage in his 
dealings. He lives contrary to nature's laws through his 
education, and is void of true manhood. 

It is impossible for man to be a true child of nature 
without developing his higher or spiritual nature in ac- 
cordance with his lesser faculties. 

I have seen many people who took great pleasure in 
exhibiting what they called their spiritual manhood 
whenever an opportunity offered, by prayer or blessings 
for their food in particular that they had worked very 



50 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

hard for, and they were on the animal plane of creation 
and nothing more. Their whole nature stood out as 
prominent as the nose on their face, and was exhibited 
in every respect in all of their dealings. 

Christ died to save sinners, they will tell you. I fear 
that by this death he has unfortunately made many more, 
through the belief that he did die for them. I can 
only judge by outward appearances, and the philosophy 
of that unwise occurrence and the effects it might pro- 
duce. At all events, I fail to see wherein good can ema- 
nate from this belief. I remember an instance where I 
had dealings with a man, who at every opportunity ex- 
pressed his gratitude to Christ for his death for the poor 
sinner of earth. I made the deal with all confidence of 
his honesty. I learned afterward to my sorrow that by 
misrepresentation he had wronged me out of twenty- 
five dollars. I did not charge this to Christianity, but 
to a lack of a higher spiritual development. 

Why do people desire a God to worship? This is a 
subject I have had for a long time under consideration, 
and only account for it in this way. Man is born and 
reared with a dependent nature, which creates a sub- 
jective mind. These principles being instilled in him 
from his earliest infancy, when arriving at the years of 
understanding, he is taught that a Savior is awaiting to 
supersede his parents, after nature had called them to 
the other side. He has always some one to lean upon. 
This can be traced back to a very primitive period in 
man's existence, the same gods being worshipped for 
many thousands of years. The Christ whom all Chris- 
tians look upon as their Savior was held to be such, so 
far as we can procure any accurate history, from five to 
seven thousand years ago. 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 51 

"There appears to be a connection existing between 
the old idolatrous nations of Egypt, India, Greece and 
Italy long before the time of Moses." (Asiatic Re- 
searches, Vol. i, P. 259.) 

"Christ, or Chrishna, was believed to have been born 
from the left intercostal rib of a virgin of the royal line 
of Devaci. He passed a life of the most extraordinary 
and incomprehensible nature. His birth was concealed, 
through the fear of the tyrant Cansa, to whom it had 
been predicted that one born at that time, in that family, 
would destroy him." — Ibid. P. 259. 

"He passed his youth in playing with a party of milk- 
maids, and at the age of seven years he held up a moun- 
tain on the tip of his little finger. He saved multitudes, 
partly by his arms, and partly by his miraculous powers. 
He raised the dead, by descending for that purpose to 
the lowest regions. He was pure and chaste in reality, 
but exhibited an appearance of excessive libertinism, and 
had wives and mistresses too numerous to be counted." 
— Ibid. P. 273. 

These are only a few excerpts from the above history, 
but a very perfect idea of this ancient mythology may be 
taken from the beautiful tragedy of "Prometheus 
Bound," of Aeschylus, which was acted in the theatre 
of Athens 500 years before the Christian era. This is 
considered by many to be the most dramatic poem in ex- 
istence. The plot was derived from materials even at 
that time of an infinitely remote antiquity. "No author 
ever displayed greater powers of poetry, with equal 
strength of judgment, in supporting through the piece 
the august character of the divine sufferer. The spec- 
tators themselves were unconsciously made a party to the 
interest of the scene ; its hero was their friend, their 



52 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

benefactor, their creator, and their Savior ; his wrongs 
were incurred in their quarrel, his sorrows were endured 
for their salvation ;" "he was wounded for their trans- 
gressions, and bruised for their iniquities ; the chastise- 
ment of their peace was upon him, and by his stripes 
they were healed," (Isaiah I, iii., 5.) "He was oppressed 
and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." The majesty 
of his silence while the ministers of an offended God 
were nailing him by the hands and feet to Mount Cau- 
casus, could only be equaled by the modesty with which 
he relates, while hanging on the cross, his services to 
the human race, which had brought on him that horrible 
crucifixion : 

"I will speak, 
Not as upbraiding them, but my own gifts 
Commending. 'Twas I who brought sweet hope 
T' inhabit in their hearts — I brought 
The fire of heaven to animate their clay ; 
And through the clouds of barbarous ignorance 
Diffused the beams of knowledge. In a word, 
Prometheus taught each useful art to man." 
In answer to a call made upon him, to explain how 
his philanthropy could have incurred such terrible pun- 
ishment, he proceeds : 

"See what, a god, I suffer from the gods. 

For mercy to mankind, I am not deemed 

Worthy of mercy; but in this uncouth 

Appointment, am fixed here, 

A spectacle dishonourable to Jove. 

On the throne of heaven scarce was he seated, 

On the powers of heaven 

He showered his various benefits, thereby 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 53 

Confirming his sovereignty ; but for unhappy mor- 
tals 
Had no regard, but all the present race 
Willed to extirpate, and to form anew. 
None, save myself, opposed his will. I dared, 
And boldly pleading, saved them from destruction — 
Saved them from sinking to the realms of night ; 
For which offense, I bow beneath these pains, 
Dreadful to suffer, piteous to behold." 
In the catastrophe of this plot, his especially professed 
friend, Oceanus, the Fisherman, as his name Petraeus 
indicates (Petraeus was an interchangeable synonym of 
the name Oceanus), being unable to prevail on him to 
make his peace with Jupiter, by throwing the cause of 
human redemption out of his hands, "forsook him and 
fled." None remained to be witnesses of his dying ago- 
nies but the chorus of ever amiable and ever faithful 
women which also bewailed and lamented him, but were 
unable to subdue his inflexible philanthropy. Overcome 
at last by the intensity of his pains, he curses Jupiter in 
language hardly different in terms, and but little inferior 
in sublimity to the "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani" of the 
Gospel. And immediately the whole frame of nature 
became convulsed : The earth shook, the rocks were 
rent, the graves were opened ; and in a storm that seemed 
to threaten the dissolution of the universe, the curtain 
fell on the sublimest scene ever presented to the con- 
templation of the human eye — a Dying God." 

The above play enacts the role of the ancient mythical 
God, the history of which so many Bibles are founded 
upon, giving rise to the multiplicity of faiths and modes 
of worship. So long as the human mind is unable to 
obtain the truth of the life beyond the grave, I trust this 



54 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

myth will provide thought upon that subject, until time 
will disclose to the mind the true laws of nature by which 
that life exists. • 

Although these teachings do not develop man's spir- 
itual nature, yet I do believe that man's morals are infi- 
nitely better to-day than they otherwise would have been 
without these teachings. 

The world will never cease to worship a God of some 
form until their eyes are opened through the light of in- 
telligence, that they may see clearly the workings of 
nature's perfect laws, in that immortal world, where the 
existence of that Savior which the world has wor- 
shipped through their mythical ignorance is unknown. 
Not until then will they seek to develop their higher 
spiritual nature, and the world will ultimately rise to a 
more high and lofty plane of intelligence. Science and re- 
ligion as taught to-day do not go hand in hand through 
that thoroughfare of life's foggy forest, and it is so easy 
for the wanderer without the searchlight of knowledge to 
go astray and never find his way, until time should open 
his eyes to the true light on the other shore. 

Science and intelligence are always prepared to meet 
all obstacles of whatever nature, and keep the light 
flashed far ahead, that any poor stranger, groping in the 
dark, not knowing where to go, may have his path light- 
ened, and the way shown in the light of truth that he 
may find the fountain of knowledge. 

With regret, I am compelled to acknowledge the 
enormity of crime proceeding from our long-cherished 
Christian religion. 

There is nothing that can be known of past ages with 
more unquestionable certainty, that in or about the epoch 
ascribed to the dawning of the divine light, the human 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 55 

mind seems to have suffered a darkened period. The 
arts and sciences, intelligence and virtues were apparently 
paralyzed. We look in vain among the successors of 
Cicero, Tacitus, Livy, Horace and Virgil, the orators, 
statesmen and poets of that literary age, for a continua- 
tion of such ornament of nature, but a blight had smit- 
ten them. "The groves of the academy and the porticos 
of the stoics were deserted as so many schools of skepti- 
cism or impiety and many among the Romans were de- 
sirous that the writings of Cicero should be condemned 
and suppressed by the Senate." 

The reasoning of which all men see the absurdity is 
applied by the victorious Caliph to justify the destruction 
of the library of Alexandria, in order to be able to prove 
more fully the truthfulness of his faith. This command 
Omar issued to his general, Amrus, in these words : "As 
to the books of which you have made mention, if there 
be contained in them what accords with the book of 
God (meaning the Koran of Mahomet), there is within 
them in the book of God all that is sufficient. But if 
there be anything in them repugnant to that book, we in 
no respect want them. Order them, therefore, to be all 
destroyed." — Harris. 

In consequence of this order the entire library of Alex- 
andria was destroyed, almost blotting out all previous his- 
tory of the entire world. 

Constantine, a murderer, whose slaughter bill method- 
ically arranged runs up to seven, including his wife, sis- 
ter and his own son, and who was afterwards sainted, 
and in the words, as the Romans put it, "Was beloved 
of God," issued this edict : "Moreover we thought good, 
that if there can be found extant any work, or book com- 
piled by Arius, the same should be burned to ashes, so 
5 



56 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

that not only his damnable doctrine may thereby be 
wholly rooted out, but also that no relic thereof may 
remain unto posterity. This also we straightly command 
and charge, that if any man be found to hide or conceal, 
any book made by Arius and not immediately bring forth 
the said book, and deliver it up to be burned, that the 
said offender for so doing shall die the death. For as 
soon as he is taken, our pleasure is, that his head be 
stricken off from his shoulders. God keep you in his 
tuition." 

A similar feeling exists at the present day toward all 
who perchance — through a feeling of their own con- 
science — speak in an unrecognizable way of the Christian 
faith, and frequently are personally injured for so doing. 

In support of my assertions upon these religious per- 
plexities, the reader will not be obliged to investigate 
history to prove the acknowledgment of this statement. 
I will cite instances of the present date which are now 
taking place of the cruelties that are existing through the 
fanaticism of religious doctrines, one of which is where 
the Sultan of Turkey, having issued an edict that all 
Christians in a certain prescribed district should be mas- 
sacred, that there might not exist any further interfer- 
ence with his own religious dogmatism. Under this 
edict, so nearly as we are able to ascertain, there have 
been within a period of one month to exceed one thou- 
sand persons exterminated from this earth. 

Following this with historical repetition that comes 
through the natural channels of transportation of news, 
another vile and hideous crime is forced upon us to read 
and believe, occurring under the ruling empire of the 
great Russias, in which upward of 200 Jews were mas- 
sacred on account of their own ideal form of worship 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 57 

that has for so many years created a feeling of hatred on 
the part of the Christian world. 

I herein insert a copy of a report of existing circum- 
stances clipped from a daily paper : 

Odessa, May 9th, 1903. (Delayed in transmission 
across the frontier.) Advices from Kishineff tell of a 
state of terrorism. The streets are filled with wounded 
Jews and the massacre has by no means ceased, though 
its open prosecution by men that cried aloud for the 
blood of the Jews has been checked by the soldiery, un- 
willing enough, for they, too, would have joined the riot- 
ers had they dared. 

It is now said that the outbreak was originally caused 
by a rumor from Dubossari that a Christian child had 
been slain by a Jew. The real underlying motive of this 
wholesale massacre, with all its accompanying horrors, 
is the hatred felt toward the whole Jewish race in con- 
nection with the competition which the Jews have fur- 
nished in trade. 

Before the eyes of the soldiers Jews were struck down 
in the streets, tortured and slain. Jews who fled to tram 
cars for safety had no sooner gained this frail refuge 
then the frenzied cries of the mob, "Throw us out the 
Jews ! Throw us out the Jews !" cause other passengers 
to push the Jews overboard. 

The mob, with yells of delight, seized upon thern at 
once and stamped them to death. Children were stoned 
to death or had their necks broken with halters. Some 
of the children were swung by the feet and their brains 
dashed out on the pavements. The cruelties are beyond 
belief. One young Jewess was found with two nails 
driven through her temples. A man had his tongue 
torn out and his lips cut off.- Others of the victims 



5 8 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

were literally stamped into shapeless masses. The 
body of a young girl who had sought refuge in a cellar 
was, it is reported, torn in twain. The details of some 
of the cruelties practiced are unprintable. 

Men and women were hurled to the pavement from 
third-story windows and their bodies hacked to pieces 
by the mob with hatchets. Others of the rioters wielded 
axes and hammers. Women were knocked on the head 
and their skulls crushed. 

The synagogues were invaded and the caretakers slain. 
Some of them were horribly mutilated. 

The Jews had little chance to retaliate, and if they 
tried to, the police quickly stopped them. A few had 
arms and delivered their bearers defenseless to the merci- 
less mob. The police themselves aided in the murder 
and wholesale looting. Quantities of rich goods stolen 
from the Jews have been found in the possession of the 
police. Heads of victims were stuck on poles and pa- 
raded through the streets. Not a Jewish house in the 
city is occupied. There was no place of safety for one 
of Jewish blood during the three days of the massacre 
anywhere in the city of Kishineff. 

That the Governor of Bessarabia was cognizant of the 
plans of the mobs is now abundantly proven. Knowing 
full well that the Jews were to be murdered, the govern- 
ment officials from the governor down, took pains to 
openly deny that any massacre was to happen. 

Every effort was made to lull the Jews to a feeling of 
security. Then, when the denials had hardly ceased, the 
outrages began. The Governor made not the slightest 
effort to stop the massacre. He denied himself to every 
Jewish applicant. He shut himself in his palace, and 
there remained until the killing had practically ceased. 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 59 

It was as useless for a Jew to appeal to an official in 
Kishineff for protection while the massacre was on as to 
ask mercy of the mob itself. In Tiraspol the massacre, 
while not so severe as in Kishineff, has left the Jews in 
a state of frantic fear. Many of them are fleeing and 
leaving all they possess." 

The Christian religion, as many other religions, has 
from time to time steeped itself in the blood of human 
lives in order to support its theory for the purpose of de- 
barring all derogatory opinions against its doctrines. 
It is with regret that we are obliged to acknowledge 
these truths, and painful to realize that we are still living 
under influences of so preposterous a nature ; and not 
until the fallacies of these unnecessary sectarian mon- 
strosities can be eradicated, will this world ever be at 
peace. I can only realize this to be accomplished when 
ignorance is exterminated and the human mind rises to 
a higher state of development. 

Should the Christian world cease to proselyte their 
cause, and in their missionary work proceed to develop 
the mental condition to a higher standing, and teach the 
world, which they are endeavoring to convert to their 
own faith, true moral principles with the love of man 
for man, following the teachings of the true laws of 
nature and allowing them to worship their own ideal 
gods, until they are able to see and understand the true 
principles of right and wrong, avoiding the perturbation 
of mind which so often creates discontentment and crime 
— then these missionaries may be able to do useful work. 

I regret that all sects may not be content with their 
own mode of worship, without endeavoring to compel 
others of equal character to accept theirs as the only cor- 
rect religious doctrine. Had it not been for this inclina- 



6o PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

tion to proselyte the Christian religion with the followers 
of Confucius, the recent uprising and massacre would 
not have taken place in China, in which nearly all of 
the nations of this world became involved to suppress 
the nefarious slaughter of human life. 

It is a higher state of mental cultivation that is 
required to elevate the human mind to more lofty 
thoughts and higher moral principles, and not proselyt- 
ing religious views. 

There remains no doubt but that the Christian religion 
originated in Egypt, not later than 5,000 B. C. from a 
mythical story, and that the school of Therapeuts took 
it up and molded it into a religion, which the world is 
applying to-day for that purpose. 

So long as it does not interfere with the progress of 
intelligence as of the past, I have no reason to complain. 
I have no reason to proclaim against any religion that 
does not interfere with liberty, life or intelligence, even 
though I know it to be false. I do feel a desire to 
apprise the acceptor of its fallacy. The truth being what 
the public mind requires, and is seeking for its own de- 
velopment, it is not only my own, but the duty of all, to 
assist each and every person, of whatever color or race, 
to any and all truths and knowledge that may help them 
in the way of progression. 

The immortal world is furnishing these truths, not for 
religious fanatics, or for a religion by which man may 
shirk responsibilities, and cast his nefarious deeds upon 
a pretended Savior, that he may relieve his conscience 
by so doing, but that he may receive the true knowledge 
of that life beyond the border-land, through the laws of 
nature that will enable him to act upon the principle of 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 61 

true manhood by exerting his power of will in the light 
of truth and honesty. 

We hear people say that it is natural for the human 
mind to desire something to worship. That by nature is 
untrue. It is only from our early teaching that this de- 
sire is entertained. Should it not receive these teachings, 
it by nature would support its own theories, and develop 
its finer principles. 

Should we today be in possession of that fine library 
of Alexandria, which was destroyed for a religious pur- 
pose, is it not possible that the world would be far in 
advance of the present time ? I most assuredly believe it 
would, as from that time a degeneration, or dark period, 
in history took place, and the world did not progress. It 
is only now recovering from that shock. It has taken 
many years, and will take many more, before, if ever, it 
will recover from that sad catastrophe, and history will 
never recover. Many histories of antiquity that are pro- 
cured today are through the immortal world. Had it not 
been for this source of information, what would we 
know of the history of Atlantis, which is read today un- 
conscious of the source from which this knowledge is 
received. 

These people who are willing to burn libraries, cities, 
or take the lives of their fellow-men for their religion, 
are the people who retard the progressive world. It is 
they who oppose a further enlightenment, and it is they 
who will die in ignorance. It is for these same people 
that we should expose their cause. 

Ignorance is a bane to humanity. The sooner we 
break the shackles and relieve this suffering mind from 
its prison cell of ignorance, that much sooner will it be 



62 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

able to journey on to the plane of free thought and en- 
lightenment. 

The shielding of crime of those who through religious 
beliefs persecute those whose minds are not in keeping 
with their own, by a government responsible for those 
persons committing such atrocities, indicates the ignor- 
ance and evil intent of a degenerate nation, and it is only 
under a despotic form of government that such calami- 
ties of a brutishly inclined nation would be allowed. It 
is barbarism that Russia has never been inclined to break 
away from, and not until minds are free to think for 
themselves will they ever be able to break away from 
that degenerately inclined propensity. Under the guid- 
ance of their own religious dogmas crime will continue 
until light and intelligence creep in through a free gov- 
ernment and independent ideas. 

It is a government of that dominant power that is 
inclined to hold other nations back from a more rapid 
progression by their intercommunication of thoughts and 
ideas, and the emigration from their shores of people 
who, through their restrictions, have criminal inclina- 
tions and brutal proclivities instilled into their minds. 

It is from similar governments that many anarchical 
minds proceed in which a desire for crime and devasta- 
tion is an element in their nature, and more civilized and 
progressive countries suffer at their hands. »The brutish 
propensities have never been exterminated from their 
minds through any education or instruction from any 
civilized or spiritually inclined institutions of learning. 
It is where suppression of thought and speech predomi- 
nates that these heinously inclined minds incubate ; and 
not until free schools for free thought and speech under 
a free government can be instituted in these countries 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 63 

will these minds cease to propagate such inclinations ; 
and then after all this has taken place, generations must 
necessarily pass before they can rise to a moral or spir- 
itual level with the more civilized world, and during all 
of this time, the civilized world, with their lofty and spir- 
itual minds must suffer crime resulting from their bar- 
barism. 

A similar condition is existing today in Turkey, and 
will, in fact, exist under all absolute monarchies, and will 
continue so long as they remain under that form of gov- 
ernment. When people are allowed or compelled to think 
for themselves, their minds begin to develop. Then they 
will free themselves from dogmas and criminal intent, 
and live a life more in keeping with the laws of nature, 
which means a life of progression. 

I have endeavored to study out what calamity may 
occur to break up this one-man power of absolute mon- 
archy, and have arrived at a conclusion that it will be the 
intelligence of those countries by foreign influences that 
may create a revolution by which the public may grasp 
the control of that government and form it into a repub- 
lic, as has many of like nature done before. When this 
can be accomplished, Russia and Turkey will then be on 
a par with the civilized nations of the globe. 

The immortal world may provide a way by which 
bloodshed may be averted, as they are exerting influences 
to that end, but so long as the heads of these govern- 
ments remain on the animal plane it is quite impossible 
for any spiritual influence to exert a power over them by 
which their minds may be forced to rise to a higher and 
more lofty ambition. 

It is quite evident to my mind that this reformation 
must necessarily come through spiritual influences, 



64 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

whether it be direct to the heads of these governments, 
or through .the spiritual development of their subjects. 
But come it must, as those influences are at work, and 
must produce their results. I ofttimes think how little 
the public mind realizes the source from which these 
benefits arise, they being totally ignorant of anything 
beyond the condition in which they dwell ; and it is only 
through the influences of the scientific and investigating 
mind that they may be able to understand the truths of 
future conditions and influences. 

When the public mind is able to understand that it is 
the influence of the immortal world that is breaking up 
the barbarous conditions of this world and developing 
the human mind to a higher state of intelligence, by 
which to see and understand the necessity of the people 
for accomplishing and perfecting the laws controlling 
governments or institutions, that will enable them to be 
lifted out of barbarity and slavery that accompanies gov- 
ernments with a tendency to produce those conditions, 
they will then proceed to follow these laws and ac- 
complish that end by establishing schools by which a 
higher state of spiritual development and general en- 
lightenment may result. 

When the world comprehends that religious doctrines 
create a state of restlessness in the human mind and 
arouse the desire to force other minds to the same trend 
of thought, by which through lack of a spiritual educa- 
tion criminal intents are instilled which incite perpetra- 
tion of inhuman acts and occasion bloodshed and slaugh- 
ter of human life, then it should endeavor to remove 
these fetters to enlightenment by eradicating all religious 
dogmas which inspire these atrocious deeds, and intro- 
duce the true philosophical principles of humanity to man, 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 65 

that the results of crime may be avoided in the life to 
come. Such acts lead one to realize the non-existence 
of spiritual development in man, and we are compelled 
to admit that the sooner a religion that prevents a spir- 
itual development of the human mind is eradicated, the 
better it will be for the human family. 

It is hard to take from the mind of man that which 
has been instilled in him for so many years as a religious 
doctrine which he feels that he must entertain for his 
soul's salvation ; but when it is found to be the incubator 
of crime and ignorance, and prevents the elevation and 
spiritual education of man's higher nature, it is time to 
proceed with an effort to accomplish that purpose, re- 
gardless of his feelings or lamentations for his long- 
cherished ideas. 

The public prefer to believe principles which they have 
been taught from their youth in preference to investigat- 
ing their merits, and should they be told that their belief 
is untrue, they at once become angered, and readily offer 
an insult. They do not care to hear anything derogatory 
to their early teachings. In my youth I knew a man 
who, although he was successful in a business way, se- 
riously believed that this earth remained stationary, and 
the sun revolved around it, having been taught this by 
his uneducated parents. On being told by a friend that 
this idea was untrue, and that it was the earth that re- 
volved, he became angry, exclaiming that, "I desire no 
such learning as that." This instance of my youth has 
proven to me the unwillingness of ignorant men to re- 
ceive knowledge. Thus it is with the religious world 
when touched upon a subject that is not in accordance 
with its religious views, unconscious of the fact that it 
is believing an allegorical fable for a divine truth. 



66 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

I have spoken with many people on the subject of im- 
mortal return, when at once they would explain, "I do 
not desire to talk upon a subject that interferes with my 
religion." I endeavored to explain that this is no 
religion, neither did I desire to interfere with such, 
but this being a truth, I believing them to be of average 
intelligence, presumed them to desire the truth of this 
law of nature. 

They having great tenacity for their religion, were so 
blinded by their ignorance, that they could not under- 
stand that this same fact would go to prove a part of 
their belief. These incidents exemplify the average in- 
telligence of religious minds. I ask the thinking mind, 
What are the religions doing for the advancement of 
human intelligence ? This interrogation I will leave for 
each and every individual to answer for himself, in ac- 
cordance with his better and unbiased judgment. 

It is very difficult to force intelligence into an unwill- 
ing mind, especially when there is a repelling force insti- 
tuted through some dogmatic theory. 

Ofttimes I have asked myself why it was that students 
of theology are not of as liberal mind as those of natural 
sciences. I can only solve this problem by accepting the 
solution that theology being only a matter of theory, the 
former have not the foundation of facts to base their 
opinion upon, consequently are left to support their theo- 
ries on nothing that is tangible from a scientific point of 
view, leaving a feeling of uncertainty or unrest which 
unbalances their power of expansion of mind. 

Theory and scientific facts are very divergent when 
applied to a subject. Theory may or may not result in 
truth, while science or facts must of necessity be a truth. 
A theory cannot be recognized as a truth until it is 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 67 

proven as such ; but it does not prevent it from being a 
theory even though it is not proven a truth. 

Webster's definition of theology : "The science of God 
and his relations to his creatures. The science which 
treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, 
his laws and government, the doctrine we are to believe, 
and the duties we are to perform." 

Should this — Webster's definition of theology — be de- 
fined as the science of nature, we can readily accept it 
as a science, but should it refer to a personal God or 
ruler, or any personal being of any form or nature, we 
can only accept it as a theory. Science is a truth, a fact, 
a thing that has been proven beyond a doubt by sight, 
hearing, touch or positive demonstration. On the con- 
trary, theory is that which exists only in imagination. 

Now if by theology we understand it to mean a per- 
sonal or independent God or ruler of this universe, we 
can then only accept it as a theory. As it has never been 
proven by any facts, truths or demonstrations that this 
personal God or ruler does or ever has existed, therefore 
as a science we cannot accept it. The time has passed 
for scientific men, or men of research, to accept a theory 
for a science or a truth. The world today is looking for 
truths, for things that are proven to be such beyond any 
question of doubt, and should theology be explained 
along the lines of nature's laws, we may then readily 
grasp and accept it as a truth, a science, and a guide for 
our future welfare. On the contrary, should it be taught 
as a theory that there being a personal God or ruler hav- 
ing full control of our affairs, and punishing us at will 
as any man of earth might do, should he have the power, 
and there being no proof of the existence of such a power 
in personal form, we must then throw it aside as an ex- 



68 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 

ploded theory. Thousands of years have elapsed since 
this theory, has been advocated, and in all of this time, 
there having been no more perfect solution arrived at, it 
must still remain in the minds of the scientific world an 
exploded theory. 

By accepting Webster's definition of God as a personal 
divine ruler of the universe, that definition could not 
under the present knowledge of this subject be in keep- 
ing with the word science, as science is a truth, and we 
do not know God to be a truth ; consequently we could 
only accept him in theory. Now should we decide to 
accept God as the ruling power of the universe, why not 
accept the Devil with the powers attributed to him? The 
Devil, Webster says, "is the evil one, Satan, represented 
in the Scriptures as the Father of lies, traducer, temp- 
ter," etc. As these two names appear in the same book 
of guidance, and one takes a part equally as active as the 
other, it is not possible to exclude one and not the other. 
These two mythical characters have in the past acted 
their equally successful role, and so far as the teachings 
of a higher life are concerned, each plays his equal part. 
The principles of the teachings of either is fear, and I 
fail to see where it is possible for the word love to play 
a part, as these characters both exert their power through 
punishment and oppression. Should that iron-rod rul- 
ing power be exerted as purported to be, is it possible 
that man's spiritual condition could be bettered? Is it 
not the love that is instilled into the soul of man that 
raises his spiritual nature to a more lofty, loving condi- 
tion? Is there ever a man made better under an op- 
pressive prison rule, or a child's lofty spiritual nature 
brought out under the guidance of a tyrannical parent ? 

The immortal world does not work upon the theory 



PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS. 69 

principle ; they prove the truth by demonstration. They 
are natural truths because they prove them by natural 
laws, and explain the principles of these laws by which 
these demonstrations are produced. 

Should religious theories be demonstrated, and the 
laws by which they are demonstrated be explained philo- 
sophically, they would then cease to be theories and 
could be accepted as truths. 

The scientific world rejects theories for want of proof, 
which accounts for their unbelief in religious faiths. 
Had it not been for these scientific investigating minds, 
the fallacies of these faiths would never have been dis- 
closed, and today Hell would be as great a consumer of 
brimstone as of many centuries past. 



7 o NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 



CHAPTER VI. 

NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 

The mystery that surrounds all unfamiliar circum- 
stances creates a doubting and rejecting- tendency. Until 
the mind is reconciled to newly discovered conditions or 
truths, there will be periods of a doubting or unexplain- 
able interference of thought, of a restless nature that is 
only satisfied by a more thorough acquaintance with the 
existing circumstances. 

These are nature's primitive laws and are exhibited in 
the child or lower animal life. Allow a stranger to ap- 
pear to the child under the same conditions as one of 
the family, at once that child gives evidence of fright, 
and doubtless will begin to cry. After a more thorough 
acquaintance it will become reconciled to the fact that 
there is no longer a mystery. 

Uneducated man is not unlike the child. Without the 
cultivation of the mind he remains a child of nature and 
is subservient to subjective influences. The child, like 
the ore from the mine, must go through a metamor- 
phosis before it is of service to the world. This improve- 
ment upon nature must be experienced before it is of 
commercial value, and as time advances, both reach a 



NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 71 

higher state of refinement and usefulness. This state of 
usefulness and refinement is progression, and this will 
continue forever and ever as long as eternity. 

Should the child remain uncultured and uneducated it 
would still continue like the ore in the mine, of no utility 
to the progressive world, and the world would not be 
improved by either existence. Should man sit down and 
conjure to himself that any exertion is useless and un- 
called for, that the world will go on in its clamor for 
knowledge and gain just the same as though he were not 
in existence, he would not reap the reward of all the 
strife and anxiety when his earthly race was done. His 
hopes are to receive the benefit from those who have 
struggled for knowledge, through which they had made 
their usefulness acknowledged by the progressive work 
in elevating the plane of human enlightenment and culti- 
vation, bringing the standard of morality to a higher 
eminence in life, that they may be brought to a more 
thorough knowledge of the life to come, in which they 
may take up the higher branches of intelligence, in order 
to assist the rising generations. He will then be brought 
to realize his deficiency when too late to retrieve his 
wasted time. 

The man who idles away his useful time for fear of 
benefiting the human family, is violating the powers of 
gift that kind nature has bestowed upon him, and sub- 
jects himself to ridicule and remorse. This remorse will 
follow him in his future life, and he cannot by the death 
of the physical body rid himself of it. Our procrastina- 
tions will follow us in the future life as they do on this 
earth. 

We ofttimes regret that we have so neglected our priv- 
ileges in college life, as by so doing there are many things 

6 



72 NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 

that we might have known that would be greatly to our 
advantage. Thus it will be in our future life, and regrets 
will be of no avail. Time once lost can never be re- 
placed ; it never repeats. I, as many others, feel it keenly, 
and now having frittered away my time of youth and 
vigor, am endeavoring to make amends for this great 
loss, which I fear can never be regained. 

Should we seek some sequestered place and dream our 
lives away without advancing a single thought or idea, 
simply satisfying our physical requirements, never allow- 
ing any mental question to disturb that perfect solitude, 
what would be our condition in the next life? It would 
be a more deplorable condition than the barbarians have 
witnessed on entering that life. The only conclusion 
that could be arrived at would be a home in the lower 
spheres for thousands of years. 

This conclusion is based on knowledge from my in- 
vestigations. A gentleman from the immortal world 
with whom I have conversed, a ruler on the continent of 
Atlantis under King Userlus, more than seventeen thou- 
sand years ago, relating his experience, expressed his 
pleasure for the information he had received since his 
return to earth, as it helped him in his progression.. He 
stated that while on earth his opportunity for knowledge 
had been so limited, that he in all of those years had 
been only able to progress to the fourth sphere, and that 
those who were under him on earth were looking to him 
for information that might help them in the same way ; 
but as he had been clinging to the same old ideas, he 
discovered that it was impossible to progress. His return 
to earth and observation of the advancement over his 
time had caused him to break away from those old ways, 
had created new ideas and a new line of thought, and 



NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 73 

now had enabled him to help others. This experience 
teaches us the importance of knowledge on this earth. 

Another experience that goes to prove this truth : A 
sister of mine, who only passed over a little more than 
two years ago, has a home in the fourth sphere and has 
been there for some little time, which is further proof 
of what I am so earnestly endeavoring to demonstrate. 
Knowledge is power, and the poor mortal who does not 
strive to attain it is not wise. 

On careful consideration I do not believe that there 
is one on this mundane sphere who would not desire to 
be on the same plane of intelligence as his friends and 
acquaintances in that future life ; and as in that life 
money can be no consideration, there is nothing to pre- 
vent the poor and down-trodden from ranking with the 
high and intelligent. 

There is one great satisfaction to us poor mortals who 
unfortunately do not possess as bountiful a supply of this 
world's goods as our next door neighbor, that in the 
next life we will stand on the same level, even though 
we were deprived of all the pleasures and comforts that 
money could give. Neither will we ask of our con- 
science, Whom did we wrong to procure this great 
wealth? And then, when all of these conditions are 
carefully weighed in our own conscience, it is possible 
we may occupy the higher position in those immortal 
realms. 

There are many things in comprehending the natural 
laws of both the mortal and immortal worlds that may 
give great consolation and solace to the thinking minds 
of this earth plane. There is no power higher than our- 
selves to demand or censure in one way or another that 
which we must or must not do, and we can act purely 



74 NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 

and independently upon our own judgments. According 
to our own condition, our own conscience will not allow 
us to inherit a place beneath our station, and we cannot 
have the privilege of a higher condition or sphere, as the 
brightness thereof would not permit us to see. An im- 
mortal explaining the condition stated his experience. 
In an effort to reach a higher sphere before he was pre- 
pared, he was totally blinded to all surroundings and re- 
quired assistance in order to return to his own sphere. 

The immortal may return to any sphere beneath him 
the same as he returns to earth, but in order to be seen 
he is obliged to take on the same conditions of each 
sphere he visits, as that of earth ; hence the phenomenon 
of materialization, even though he is able to see all with- 
out this metamorphosis. 

When the intelligent immortal is able to reach the 
higher spheres through study of these higher laws of na- 
ture they may see far into the future, and by this means 
they may decipher our future to perfection. For example : 
In September, 1902, an ancient and scientific guide of 
mine who was on earth in Egypt five thousand years 
ago, and a scientist at that time, advised me to spend 
the coming winter in California, as I would experience 
a severe illness by remaining in the Chicago climate. He 
made all of the preparations pertaining to my residence 
there for that period. He insisted that I should give 
heed to his advice. I delayed going on account of busi- 
ness matters at the time set for this exodus, and was 
taken ill regardless of the extreme care I gave myself, 
and was confined to my house for a period of six weeks. 
After this illness he advised me to remain here, as there 
was no further illness awaiting me for the remaining 
season. This is another illustration of a higher educa- 



NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 75 

tion proceeding from a cultivation of the mind in early 
life. 

There are immortal scientists who are able to locate 
mines through the study of these laws of nature, and 
can look down into the earth and see what there exists 
and figure out the per cent of pure ore of whatever na- 
ture it may contain. I speak from experience on this 
subject, and assure the reader of the accuracy of this 
statement. 

As we are on this side of life, so we are in the future 
life, and it is only by time that a change may occur. 
The same natural proclivities remain with us. The 
branches of science or occupation in which rests our 
greatest tendencies, will be likewise over there. The laws 
that act upon our greatest inclinations in our youth may 
act upon that particular character of our nature in our 
future life. Should our inclination lead to poetry, and 
our mental capacity be equal to a high state of develop- 
ment, and we should permit our spiritual nature to de- 
velop that the immortal world could be able to assist us, 
we then may aspire to the high attainment of that pleas- 
ing accomplishment. I do believe that no successful poet 
ever existed without inspirational forces coming to his 
assistance, as the work of poetry comes purely through 
the spiritual nature of man, and must require assistance 
from the spirit world. In fact, I must repeat that our 
best, wisest and most influential thoughts come through 
inspiration from the immortal side of life. I give this 
as an illustration of the great benefits that may be de- 
rived from our willing helpers of that elevated and im- 
mortal existence. By the science of the laws of nature 
we are able to prove conclusively the following use of 
these natural laws by the existence of these two extreme 



76 NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 

periods of life acting in accordance with each other. 
From the simple fact that we mortals, through neglect 
of our spiritual development, may not be able to see those 
of the immortal life in their state of advancement under 
the conditions of which they are obliged to exist for this 
higher attainment, is not conclusive evidence that those 
same minds do not exist in that higher life. 

Ofttimes in pondering over this great construction of 
worlds, which by the laws of nature have to us poor 
mortals been so mysteriously arranged, and we, being a 
part of this mammoth structure, yet so ignorant of what 
all this means, I feel that we have not been properly pro- 
vided with the necessary intelligence that is in keeping 
with these wonderful works of nature. 

From meditation, and a full realization of man's ex- 
istence on this earth, the possibilities of a more thorough 
knowledge must come with the succession of many gen- 
erations. I can then comprehend the great advantage of 
opening up a communication with a higher intelligence 
by which we receive more intellectual information. 

Should man remain on the animal plane, with no at- 
tempt to raise his standard from the brute of creation, 
or develop within him the spiritual man that nature has 
so kindly endowed him with, placing him on a more in- 
tellectual sphere of intelligence, the light upon these sub- 
jects of the surrounding worlds of the universe would 
never be reached, and he would remain in doubt and 
ignorance, as in early and primitive life. 

When man is able to comprehend the great amount of 
knowledge and information it is possible to receive from 
that higher mental existence of immortal life, then a 
more strenuous effort will be made for the reception of 



NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 77 

knowledge, by which the inquiring mind may be satis- 
fied. 

The knowledge of the natural laws of the universe is 
today in its infancy, and it is only through the intelli- 
gence of the higher mental existence that we may ever 
be able to solve its mysteries. "Ask, and ye shall receive ; 
seek, and ye shall find," are old Biblical maxims, but as 
true as the air we breathe. Without seeking for knowl- 
edge we cannot expect to find it. The indolent man may 
sit and wait all of his natural lifetime for knowledge, 
and that knowledge he will never receive. 

It is true that man is here for a purpose, but should 
he not exert himself and utilize the energy with which 
nature has provided him, he will never accomplish that 
purpose. We are placed here with an implement to 
accomplish our work which consists of intelligence. In- 
telligence is the only tool necessary for man to work out 
whatever he desires ; and when he does not contain the 
knowledge necessary to further his proposition, by ask- 
ing, he may receive the supply to accomplish that pur- 
pose. Should he not be able to receive this knowledge 
from mortal man he may receive it through immortal 
man through the proper conditions. 

When man has exhausted all his energy and intelli- 
gence in his investigations and experiments with the 
knowledge that this world contains, he should then reach 
out for more information, from a higher source, where 
that knowledge may be procured. By acquainting him- 
self with the road over which this store of useful knowl- 
edge transports its wares, he may be able to receive to 
his gratification all of these sacred goods, which will 
enable him to meet his demands. 

Through lack of knowledge should he be unacquaint- 



78 NATURAL LAWS OF BOTH WORLDS. 

ed with the source from which this road proceeds, by 
asking, a guide will be furnished him, who will impart 
that knowledge, and direct him on his way, that no time 
may be lost in early procuring his supplies. All of these 
things have I experienced, and with permission and as- 
sistance I now give it to the world that it may be bene- 
fited thereby, and I wish to express my gratitude to all 
of my good friends, both mortal and immortal, who have 
so kindly assisted me on this road to the knowledge of 
nature's great and perfect laws, that control both the 
mortal and the immortal worlds. 



SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 79 



CHAPTER VII. 

SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 

A more perfect knowledge of the laws and forces of 
the immortal world is essential to the development of 
the psychical or spiritual nature of man. This knowl- 
edge can only be attained by study and investigation. 
Our early lives have unfortunately been deprived of this 
opportunity for the want of literature upon this subject, 
and not until a quite recent date have the psychological 
laws of nature been given to the public for a scientific 
study. The obtaining and retaining of such works in 
the general household have been prevented by religious 
fanatics through their superstitious belief taught by their 
clergy that these laws were contrary to the laws of the 
church, and it was a breach of their principles to under- 
stand and accept these laws. Today the more thinking 
minds of these same churches are breaking away through 
mental development, and accepting these sciences as all 
other laws of nature, and allowing their families to drink 
in these comparatively hidden truths. 

The members of churches are fast drifting away, as it 
is impossible for them to receive knowledge in keeping 



8o SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 

with the times, under the restrictions of the teachings of 
their creeds. 

When the study of natural laws is prevented by relig- 
ious creeds, it is time that such creeds were denounced 
and a different principle of religion substituted, that will 
not interfere with man's store of useful knowledge. 

Knowledge and refinement are our safeguards against 
crime, and so long as they are restricted, no matter by 
what cause, crime will continue to exist. 

Religion, no matter of what denomination or creed, so 
long as it is able to keep the ignorant in fear, is to a 
certain extent a preventive of crime, and this can only 
be done so long as that prerogative is held over them. 
Should they be taught the true laws of nature, and their 
spiritual nature be developed, they would have no desire 
for crime, and the rising generation brought up under 
the same influences would be more perfectly developed 
out of criminal inclinations. 

When the true principles are instilled into the human 
mind and man is taught that it is necessary to rely 
wholly upon himself, and none other than his own con- 
science is responsible for his wrong-doing, that he can- 
not look up to clergyman or priest for absolution from 
sin, neither can he receive the same from any supreme 
Savior known, or unknown, he will begin to realize the 
principles of a free moral agency and consider his own 
conscience before making any attempt at wrong-doing. 
When these natural principles are taught, and become 
thoroughly instilled into the minds of the now ignorant 
world, those who are mentally responsible will awaken 
to the fact that they should do justice to their fellow- 
men. 

It is these principles that will bring about a greater 



SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 81 

mental development and be a safeguard to the higher 
element of mankind. 

There is a path that man may cautiously travel with 
an investigating mind, to a junction in which the im- 
mortal world will meet him half way and disclose to him 
the truths, by opening the window of knowledge and let- 
ting the light of the future life shine through upon him, 
that will prove to him all facts and truths relative to 
these laws of nature, regardless of all printed laws per- 
taining thereto that the world has for so many years 
kept so secretly hidden from view, for fear that the mind 
through these various channels might become enlight- 
ened. 

Through this path many a wanderer has sought light, 
whereby they have been met with open arms and taken 
to the fountain of knowledge, where they have received 
many a copious and satisfying draught of the waters of 
knowledge and truth. It is only for us to make the 
proper conditions and all will be given us, that we may 
prove to ourselves beyond any question of doubt the cor- 
rectness of these laws, regardless of these books of 
science. 

These statements being facts, then why should the 
average mind shrink from following this path, and pre- 
paring the way by making these conditions, that he may 
drink of the waters of knowledge and truth? Simply 
because he is unable to break away from some old dog- 
mas to which he has ruthlessly clung, and for fear that 
he may by some positive proofs be obliged to find his old 
and cherished ideas so badly defective that they may be- 
come to him a faulty, old nightmare. 

As the minds of the human family are inclined to re- 
sist ideas of a more instructive nature without a pre- 



82 SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 

ponderance of evidence in their favor, it is necessary, in 
order to further all newly discovered facts, to invent theo- 
ries by which the minds of the public may by the most 
feasible routine be reached, and the materials for ac- 
complishing this feat are sought among the more intel- 
lectual minds of the masses. This is a reminder of our 
early days of school life, when the brighter pupils were 
called upon to assist the teacher. It is only by this same 
practice that the minds of the public are kept in the line 
of progression. 

I often hear people say, "What matters it if the public 
remain in ignorance?" Should this short earthly life 
be all there is to live, I will admit that it would matter 
but little, but as there is a higher and more intellectual 
life beyond, we, as human subjects of this mortal sphere, 
should exert our energies to promote their intellectual 
welfare in order that they may understand the laws of 
progression in that higher life to come. 

A gentleman, a lawyer by profession, who passed from 
earth not long since, returned to me and said, "I wish 
to express to you my gratitude for a few words you 
dropped while attending me in my last illness in regard 
to a future life, as when I came over here I was dazed 
and could not understand where I was, when those 
words came to me like a flash, and I began to realize 
that you knew what you were talking about, and I could 
then understand, and at once began my work of pro- 
gression." 

I quote this circumstance that the reader may more 
clearly comprehend my great desire for a higher and 
more intellectual education. 

This life is merely a preparatory course for eternity. 
The higher we may aspire in this earthly sphere, the 



SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 83 

greater amount of good we may be able to do to our fel- 
low-man in the way of opening unto him the daylight of 
intelligent and useful knowledge, and prepare him for 
his mental development. 

We are here to execute the laws of nature to the best 
of our ability, and we should exert our intelligence in pro- 
curing the greatest amount of knowledge necessary to 
carry out these laws, that the world may rise to a higher 
standard, both for this and the life hereafter. 

We cannot help but admit that knowledge is power, 
and that is what the higher thinking mind most desires. 
This cannot be procured by indolence or bigotry, and the 
sooner one can release himself from these two unnec- 
essary evils, that much sooner he may be able to pro- 
cure the necessary rudiments to accomplish that end. 

Knowledge received under spiritual influence is never 
exerted to a detrimental end, as it elevates the higher na- 
ture of man. An education procured along the lines of 
psychology, physiology and philosophy, will develop a 
mind of honesty, strength and truthfulness. These three 
principles are the rudiments necessary in developing the 
higher and nobler minds for the work of progression in 
this life. 

The greater minds are not always the higher, neither 
is it true that the higher minds are the greater. A man 
may aspire to a very high degree of mental attainment, 
and his psychical or spiritual life be neglected. He may 
be on the animal plane of life, not far removed from the 
brute of creation. On the other hand, a spiritual nature 
may be in a high state of development, and the other 
attributes be totally neglected so far as letters are con- 
cerned. This latter circumstance is one with which I 
have frequently come in contact. An uneducated mind is 



84 SCIENCE OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 

susceptible to spiritual influences, from the fact that it 
still rests in a negative mood, which is the reason for 
so many sensitives, or mediums, of that order. When 
the immortals are looking for a subject, or medium, 
through which they are able to continue their labors on 
this earth, they frequently accept the one through whom 
it is most easy for them to accomplish their purpose, and 
in so doing they accept the uneducated, as there is less 
power of resistance ; while, on the other hand, an edu- 
cation creates a positive mind, which in order to receive 
the same results would be obliged to undergo a psychical 
training to procure the same spiritual education. These 
phases are not usually of a very high order, except where 
the brain is susceptible to a high mental education, in 
which case mental development takes place as a rapid 
phenomenon, especially if an immortal of a highly edu- 
cated mind is in possession of their faculties. 

A psychical education should be a side partner with all 
other higher branches of education, that one may help 
the other, as is always the case. The brightest and best 
thoughts proceed from the immortal world, as there are 
better opportunities for mental researches on that side of 
life where they are not hampered with the physical body, 
or the wants and necessities of material life, with an ex- 
perience of many more years of earnest study. 



WORK OF IMMORTALS. 85 



CHAPTER VIII. 



WORK OF IMMORTALS. 



We would not wish to linger in this mortal coil should 
time with its gray locks be unable to prepare a place be- 
yond, where the earth's work could be taken up and 
furthered to a more satisfactory end ; where hope, cher- 
ished comforts with their sublimity, might meet our 
soul's desires, and there linger in joys of eternal life ; 
where strife and cares are all forgotten, where work 
brings joy to the soul by the benefits and pleasures it 
may give ; and this we do, yea, more than this, in that 
home beyond the grave. 

The world asks what may we do on that other shore? 
We take up the studies of an unbroken life and carry 
them on to completion. No threads are broken, a con- 
tinuous strand to eternity, the way growing brighter 
as we progress, never stopping to argue who shall lead 
the way, but with a determination in mind, accomplish 
this life's work, begun perhaps some ages past, that it 
may be showered upon the heads of the new-made souls 
of earth. These things, dear reader, we do, and more 
than these. We invent new thoughts and ideas, which 
man, noble man of earth, may live to enjoy, and pass 



86 WORK OF IMMORTALS. 

down to his posterity, by which their lives may reap the 
reward of the advance of time. 

We put new songs on the lips of mortals and tune 
their voices to sweet melodies, their ear to tone and 
sound, their fingers to touch sweet chords that sound 
their melodious parts. We develop our minds so that 
we may inspire the writer with flowing language of 
thought and ideas, that the world of new-made lives of 
earth may reach a higher plane. 

We inspire the mind of the poet to beautiful strains 
of thought in verse by which the world may read them- 
selves into forgetfulness, and their cares and troubles 
be wafted away and pass into pleasant dreams. 

We sound the knell of the departed soul of earth, and 
with outstretched arms receive it on the other shore, 
and whisper in the ear the first word of a new-born life. 
We help the care-worn stranger on his way to higher 
realms of joy, and breathe words of comfort and en- 
lightenment into his neglected soul, that may assist him 
in his immortal development. We sing sweet songs to 
those who are weary and heavy laden with past cares of 
earth-life, that may lighten their burden for their pro- 
gression. We assist in preparing homes for those who 
have neglected this privilege in earth-life. We do all 
and more than mortal man can do. This is the work of 
the immortal world. 

The work of the immortal world will never cease. 
Once rid of the cumbersome physical body there is no 
need for physical work, and it is our mind, the supreme 
part of man, that exists to exert its energy for mental 
accomplishments. Yet this mind ofttimes requires rest. 
My immortal mother, in reply to my interrogation if she 
did not at times tire, said, "Yes, my dear boy, and when 
thus tired I lie down upon my bed and rest." I said, 



WORK OF IMMORTALS. 87 

"Your imaginary bed?" "But, oh," she responded, "it 
is just as real to us as yours is to you. Our homes are 
real, and you will find it thus on coining over here." 
This instance demonstrates clearly the extent of power 
of endurance in the immortal world. They have also 
told me that it was possible for some to endure more 
than others. This compares favorably with mortal life. 
One may become mentally exhausted with that which 
would not in the least affect another. The same natural 
laws hold good in either world. 

While conversing with my mother one day I inquired 
after my father, and she said, "Your father is not here 
today, he is away on business." I inquired what that 
business might be. "Helping some one, as your guides 
come to you," she responded. This work does not al- 
ways consist of helping mortals, but immortals, who are 
in need of knowledge for their progression, as in this 
life. 

An Egyptian immortal, who was with me less than a 
year ago, came to me one day, and during the conversa- 
tion I asked where he might have been of late, as I had 
seen but little of him. He stated that as he had found 
nothing further to do for me, he had procured another 
position. I asked where it might be. He answered, 
"In the other world. I came to you only on earth, but 
I observe that you are pretty well taken care of, there- 
fore I call upon you about twice a week." 

I give these instances to illustrate of what the work 
of immortals consists. There are instances which I 
might be able to cite that would make quite a book of 
itself, but I only give you these in connection with the 
subject under discussion. 

The immortal world is interested in all of our work 
pertaining to the enlightenment of the people of this 



88 WORK OF IMMORTALS. 

earth, that they shall learn and understand the true laws 
of nature governing these two worlds. Any effort that 
is made toward the disclosure of the same, they enter 
into with great force and energy. Quite recently I was 
speaking with my elder sister, who has been in the im- 
mortal world about thirty years, upon some personal 
matter, and in the conversation she made this remark : 
"I wish you would finish your book as soon as possible," 
meaning this book, "as all I hear in the immortal world 
from morning until night is your book. It appears to be 
the main topic. I wish you only knew the thousands 
that are taking an interest in it." I asked why it was 
thus. She replied, "The topic upon which it is writ- 
ten is one in which the immortal world is interested. 
They realize that it will furnish thought and meditation 
that will have a tendency to open the eyes of the public 
upon that subject of which they are so very ignorant, 
and will cause them to investigate its truths. When I 
come to see you it really surprises me to see so many 
watching to catch the words as they are left by your 
pen, in order to carry the idea back and use it for their 
discussion. Brother, I congratulate you, and wish you 
success, as it reveals the truth." 

These words, coming from my own immortal sister's 
lips, have animated me in this work, realizing more fully 
the benefit that may be accomplished in this my greatest 
human effort. I have been prompted on from day to day 
by the many beautiful inspiring thoughts that I have re- 
ceived from my loved ones on the other shore, and with 
their assurance that by completing this work and plac- 
ing it before the public, the world may become wiser, 
and I thereby reap the reward for the great good it 
may do. 



IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 



CHAPTER IX. 

IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 

Should we give our spiritual development the same 
attention as things of less importance it would enable 
us both to see and commune with our immortal friends. 
As the world grows in wisdom and becomes more thor- 
oughly acquainted with the laws governing our psychic 
forces and the immortal world, more time and attention 
will be given to the development of those forces now 
lying dormant within us ; and by so doing will enable 
us to walk and talk with ^ir immortal friends as those 
of earth. It is true that it may require many genera- 
tions for this development, as time only will enable us 
to cast off those present conditions, which for many gen- 
erations have been so thoroughly instilled into us, and 
it is only by cultivation that we may rid ourselves of 
these conditions. 

By close observation we are able to discern the facts 
which science has revealed to us. The mind of a child 
born of a highly cultured and intellectual parentage will 
partake, to a degree clearly recognizable by any astute 
observer, the characteristics and mental condition of 
that parentage. By following the trend of development 



go IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 

of that child you will observe how much more readily it 
is enabled to grasp ideas and solve problems in all of its 
mental studies. In fact, the material is there, and given 
the opportunity, will assert the high mental susceptibil- 
ities. All that is necessary to develop these attainments 
is a favorable opporunity. With the law of affinity this 
child must necessarily be surrounded by immortal guides 
of like nature, and eventually by development of its spir- 
itual nature, must aspire to great success. Should these 
ideas and principles be instilled into the mind of the 
public through the general literature of the day, and 
taught in our public schools, I believe after several gen- 
erations the extreme ignorance that now exists would to 
a great extent be blotted out. It is wisdom of the rising 
generations that is required for the development of the 
mind in these higher laws of nature, that the world may 
familiarize itself with immortal phenomena. 

I believe by a higher psychical education the phenom- 
enon of thought transmission could be accomplished as 
truly as the astral of one person can pass instantaneous- 
ly to another. This phenomenon is accomplished every 
day, and yet it is not observed except for the sense of 
feeling, or by the clairvoyant vision. 

While sitting alone one day reading, feeling a con- 
sciousness of some one's presence, I looked up and saw, 
clairvoyantly, sitting in the chair nearly in front of me, 
a friend who was in Pittsburg at the time, dressed in the 
same business suit he was accustomed to wear, and for 
a moment I was startled, but after considering for awhile 
I remembered an immortal had told me that when the 
mind was centered on a person, the astral of that body 
might be seen. I then was able to realize more clearly 
what thought represented, and what its influence might 
be. 



IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 91 

This astral is the condition the spirit dwells in after 
leaving the physical body, and which it casts off on en- 
tering the spheres in the immortal world. When the 
mind or spirit leaves the body to visit any person or place 
this astral is that in which it is incorporated to travel, 
and returns with the spirit to the body again. 

On the death of the physical body, should the spirit 
be earth-bound, and unable to leave the earth, it inhab- 
its this same astral, but on leaving the earth it casts off 
this condition, after which this astral goes floating about, 
and when seen by mortals, is called a spook, there being 
no soul within. These are often seen about cemeteries 
or houses wherever they may perchance be left. 

On entering each sphere the immortal casts off a sim- 
ilar condition, which is the solution of being unable to 
dwell in a sphere for which we are unprepared, as we 
with this earthly body would be unprepared to dwell in 
those higher realms. This astral is then utilized for 
various purposes by immortals on returning to this earth. 
For instance, should an immortal desire to have himself 
photographed for some friend, who is sitting for that 
purpose, he will take one of these old astrals which is 
floating about, and mould it in keeping with the form 
of his mortal features and appear before the camera, by 
means of magnetism taken from the operator of the 
camera, or some other person connected therewith, pos- 
sibly the sitter, and when the impression is taken he ap- 
pears on the negative. I have some which I had taken 
for that purpose. Some of these faces are those of rel- 
atives or acquaintances, others that appear are perhaps 
faces that I never saw. I think I may vouch for the 
correctness of these faces, as they were taken in Chicago, 
I being a perfect stranger to the photographer, and not 
having any of these faces in my possession in any form 



92 IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 

whatsoever, and they being unmistakably faces of those 
with whom I have been all my lifetime, they only recently 
having departed this earth. I have been told that there 
are frauds perpetrated upon innocent people in this line 
of work, faces being used by the photographer for the 
purpose of palming off as guides or friends forgotten. 
I mention this that all who desire these pictures may be- 
ware, and not fall in with a person of this character and 
be deceived. We should always be on the alert for un- 
scrupulous characters in these'apparently mysterious phe- 
nomena, as in all other professional or business interests 
in life, as this world in its greed for wealth and gain is 
liable to lay plots for the unfortunate, innocent soul to 
drop into at a moment when he least expects it. 

The immortal if so desiring it while the photographing 
is in operation, is able to produce spiritual flowers on 
the picture, not unlike those shown in clairvoyancy, which 
I am able to see. In these a fraud may be very easily 
perpetrated. Yet I would dislike to suggest it as it would 
be a very hard matter to prove. 

While speaking of frauds in all of these phenomena 
I must confess than I have not met with them in my in- 
vestigations, as I have been in search of the real truths, 
and have been assisted to places where the real truths 
were demonstrated. I therefore will let those who are 
looking for those frauds disclose them, which should 
consist of those who are perfectly familiar with the phe- 
nomena. I will not be guided by new investigators, as 
my experience has proven to me that they are prone to 
find frauds when I am positive that no fraud or decep- 
tion exists. The investigations of the phenomena of the 
immortal return, and the natural laws by which this phe- 
nomenon is produced, have been greatly retarded by an 
inexperienced, skeptical class of people, who cry fraud 



IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 93 

before they have taken time to investigate the real merits, 
with no knowledge of philosophical laws by which truths 
may be ascertained. Men of science have kept their in- 
vestigations a secret within themselves or their imme- 
diate friends, preferring not to battle with the world 
which in its bigotry and ignorance with so much force 
and energy proclaims against it. 

As this astral is so often utilized for various purposes, 
oftimes an immortal unfamiliar with the laws by which 
it may be converted to his use may occupy one for some 
purpose, and through his ignorance be unable to relieve 
himself of it for a long time, and as it may have at one 
time contained a drunkard, murderer or some other evil 
condition, he may experience these same evil effects until 
he works himself out of it, and in this way suffer for the 
attempt. An immortal of experience may utilize this 
same astral without any ill effects. This statement was 
taken from an immortal's own words. I was told that 
after one experience of this kind, it is seldom, if ever, 
this attempt is repeated until the immortal has thorough- 
ly posted himself on the laws and principles of utilizing 
this dangerous instrument. 

This being so characteristic of mortal life, it is not 
hard to comprehend the correctness of the experience. 
The ignorant mind is invariably making attempts in 
that which the wise fear to venture. In the immortal 
world we find a facsimile of our own existence. 



94 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 



CHAPTER X. 



SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 



As the average human mind is seeking for a higher 
mental development, it is quite natural it should look for 
the most favorable opportunity for that development, 
and it desires that the course shall consist of the modus 
operandi by which it may be able to receive the greatest 
amount of knowledge in the briefest period of time, this 
being one of the characteristics of the people oi the 
United States of America. The day has gone by when 
time was of comparatively little importance. Progression 
is carried on under a totally different mode of procedure, 
and what one desires to know, they must learn quickly, 
as all minds are becoming more active, and in order to 
hold a position in life of any intellectual character, the 
mind must be active ; to meet these demands, institutions 
of education are established upon these principles. 

Instead of starting with the A B C, as in days gone by, 
the child is taught to read before he knows those sym- 
bols, which is proof of the progressiveness of mankind. 
Ideas are advanced before letters, and letters naturally 
follow without study. The bright minds, the heads of 
institutions, are aware that in order to establish institu- 



SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 95 

tions to meet the demands, it is necessary to expel all 
isms from that institution, or any principles that may 
have a tendency to instill bigotry or selfishness into the 
mind of the student. 

The mental development of the human mind has been 
a study of scientific men for many years, and it is 
through the investigations of these minds that the rules 
are prescribed for the most intellectual and rapid mode 
of development. Various principles have been arrived at 
for the destruction of set ideas and bigoted education of 
early training, as not until that has been accomplished 
will the mind be susceptible to intelligent and advanced 
ideas ; and it is through these principles that the Bible and 
religions are eradicated from our greatest institutions 
of learning. When these ideas are removed from the 
human mind, and all doubt is dispensed with, the mind 
becoming at rest, it becomes most sensitive and capable 
of receiving intelligence. Schools that have adopted the 
psychical or spiritual development in connection with 
their other studies are beyond doubt the leading insti- 
tutions of rapid progression, as by developing those pow- 
ers the mind becomes more sensitive and more capable of 
receiving advanced ideas. 

There are several institutions of this kind existing to- 
day, and I believe that it will not be long before all the 
higher graded schools will be following this same line 
for imparting knowledge. When I suggest this idea, I 
speak from knowledge, the results of which I have ex- 
perienced. 

When we educate the higher, or spiritual, nature of 
man, we raise him above the animal plane of creation, 
thereby producing a mind that is capable of receiving a 
higher intelligence, and these ideas scientific men have 
accepted and advocated so far as they dared, considering 



g6 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 

the present intelligence of the human mind ; for should 
they advance ideas beyond the comprehension of present 
minds it would be not unlike advancing ideas of one 
thousand years of the past, as a school of either would be 
denounced by the public. 

Spiritual development can only be produced by spir- 
itual influences, and these influences must come from the 
immortal or spiritual world. A spiritual education can 
only be brought about by concentrating the mind, thereby 
permitting the immortal world to infuse into that mind 
their spiritual influences ; in other words, partaking of 
their spiritual condition, thereby allowing the immortal 
world to exert a chemical change in the magnetism of the 
human body. By this change the magnetism becomes 
more refined and takes on the condition of spiritual life, 
thereby throwing off the coarser or animal nature of 
man. By so doing the mind becomes more susceptible 
to higher influences, developing tastes for fine arts, mu- 
sic, poetry and all other attributes of a higher intelli- 
gence. It brings out the finer feelings of every de- 
scription in man, and prepares him for a rapid and lofty 
progression. 

The question may arise in the mind of the reader how 
these results are to be brought about. I will explain in 
brief some of the procedures. One desiring this devel- 
opment should, if possible, come in contact with those of 
spiritually developed minds, as by so doing it assists 
them greatly in their progression, and by learning as 
much of the immortal world as possible will give them an 
assurance by which they may proceed, that they may not 
be in doubt as to the results which may be procured ; 
for instance, attending seances of a thoroughly developed 
sensitive, which may consist of materialization, slate- 
writing, inspirational speaking, trance-reading, trumpet- 



SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 97 

sittings and many other phases of a similar character, 
where immortals may come to you and converse with 
you and demonstrate beyond any question of doubt the 
truth of their return, the interest that they may take in 
you, and their desire for so doing. You then are able to 
procure your guides, who will show through their ear- 
nestness the sincerity of their interest in you, and lay out 
the work they desire you to follow. After all of this is 
accomplished, you are no longer in a condition of doubt, 
and then are ready to proceed. 

The next step to take is the concentration of the mind. 
Now this may be accomplished either singly or in com- 
pany with those who have the same desire for that de- 
velopment. Many times a medium or sensitive may be of 
great service to you in advancing that spiritual progres- 
sion, as they have undergone this chemical change, and 
naturally may assist you even in the association, as you 
may receive the influence of the finer magnetism of that 
sensitive. Should you perchance meet one of that mind, 
who is able and willing to give you his assistance, you 
may sit with him in a totally darkened room, where no 
gleam of light may penetrate, and there obliterate all 
thoughts of earthly or material conditions, and you will 
give your immortal friends or guides an opportunity to 
exert their influence or practice the chemical change of 
your magnetism. 

This you may experience once or twice a week, for 
from one-half to one hour and a half each time, accord- 
ing to the physical condition of your body, as this change 
has a great tendency to weaken the physical body, or 
create therein a nervous condition due to the metamor- 
phosis of your magnetism and the sensitiveness of your 
mind. Should you find this change is creating too great 
a demand upon your system, you may lengthen the 



98 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 

periods between the sittings, and even shorten the time 
of the sittings. 

These results may be equally as well produced by sit- 
ting with some friends who are on the equal stage of 
progression, or you may sit alone under like circum- 
stances ; but should you sit with one, I should advise it to 
be with one of the opposite sex, as the mixture of these 
two magnetisms produces far better results. After a 
time you will begin to realize what the nature of your 
development will produce. The mind will always pro- 
gress under these sittings. If you so desire, and your 
magnetism is in keeping with your desire, you may get 
an entranced condition ; or should you be a natural psy- 
chic, you will develop clairvoyancy with astonishing rap- 
idity. Following, you will develop clairaudiency, or you 
may get rappings, slate-writing, impressions, trumpet- 
sittings, mind reading, psychometry, inspirational speak- 
ing or writing, and many other phases of proof of the 
immortal return. Should you desire one particular thing, 
you should make your demand for that, and they will 
give it you, should your natural intelligence be sufficient 
to receive it. Your natural intellect will be accentuated 
in every instance and more lofty thoughts and higher 
ambitions will follow your development. To be sure, 
should a mind be void of intelligence, immortals can not 
make a bright mind of it, which would be due to a lack 
of nourishing properties of brain tissue, being a phys- 
ical defect, but they prepare the mind to proceed with a 
general education far beyond that which could ever be 
expected without this spiritual development. 

The time it might take for this development is uncer- 
tain. I received the few phases I possess in about two 
months. I have known others who have been develop- 
ing for many years, and have not received as much as my- 



SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. 99 

self. The earnestness and sincerity with which a per- 
son proceeds is a great assistance to that progression, as 
in all other mental studies of human life, and I can at- 
tribute my rapid mental spiritual development to the 
earnestness with which I progress in -all things. 

The time is coming when this phase of mental devel- 
opment will be established in all the higher schools of ed- 
ucation, as the assistance that it lends to other studies can 
not reasonably be dispensed with. 

Instead of religious dogmas being practiced in public 
institutions of learning, they will be superseded by this 
spiritual development. By so doing there will be a great 
intellectual development, and a higher moral and spir- 
itual condition of the mind brought out. Crime will be 
averted, as a mind educated along these lines is incapable 
of perpetrating crime, the nature being too highly culti- 
vated for so low an act. It is by this education that the 
human family may exist in safety, and there will be no oc- 
casion for prison bars. 

LofC.'- 



INVESTIGATION OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 



CHAPTER XL 

CONDITIONS FOR INVESTIGATION OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 

The natural laws governing and controlling both the 
mortal and immortal worlds is a science, which to readily 
grasp and understand one must be of a philosophical 
turn of mind and an astute observer. 

An individual with no philosophical ideas could never 
comprehend the mechanism of a steam engine, and how 
or why the steam propelled the train, or from what source 
its energy was produced. So it is with the laws govern- 
ing the immortal world. The unphilosophical mind, bor- 
dering on incredulity, is unable — although he may ob- 
serve with his own eyes the phenomena — to comprehend, 
for want of knowledge of the law by which they are pro- 
duced. The illumination of the immortal's station in life, 
or one in which he wishes to be recognized by his mortal 
friends, may be seen in the darkness or even in the light, 
and through ignorance of the laws producing this light, 
it is accepted as an imaginary vision, or optical illusion. 
The philosophy of this phenomenon was accomplished by 
the immortal's understanding of the laws by which he 
could through the forces he possessed gather the carbonic 
gases from the atmosphere, and condense in the particu- 
lar form he desired, that it produced an illumination. 
The immortal world are familiar with these phenomena, 



INVESTIGATION OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 101 

they containing a higher knowledge of sciences, as their 
opportunities are greater for these developments. It is 
not by knowledge from books that I am prepared to 
give these philosophical truths, but by personal experi- 
ence and investigation that I can lay before the public 
these facts that will verify the scientific works of many 
years of investigation and study. 

The science pertaining to the laws of the universe has 
been my life-long study, and that part pertaining to the 
immortal world I have endeavored to proceed with along 
the line with other careful investigators. By so doing I 
have familiarized myself with this phenomenon of im- 
mortal return in its various phases, and their homes* of 
various spheres and conditions, so far as it has been my 
good fortune so to do. I shall confine myself to nothing 
but the absolute truths, proven by my own investigations, 
and should I deviate from science, it will be because I 
have discovered new facts, or see what has already been 
discovered in a different light. 

It appears quite natural for different minds to look 
at certain facts in a different light ; that is one of the 
phenomena of nature, although they eventually arrive at 
the same conclusion. As there are many minds, so also 
are there as many ideas. To know a truth is one thing, 
but to be able to prove a truth is quite a different con- 
sideration. To prove a truth by mental or physical dem- 
onstration is quite a different proposition. The latter is 
invariably the stronger. 

The man who invented the air brake took his cher- 
ished invention to the President of a certain railroad to 
illustrate its merits in order to put it into practical use. 
He met with a rebuff and was told that such a crazy 
proposition was not to be considered ; that "the idea of 
stopping a train with wind was perfectly absurd." It 



io2 ' INVESTIGATION OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 

was only by influences that the utility of this wonderful 
invention could be demonstrated. There is not a railroad 
in the country today where there will not be found that 
noble work of the human mind applied to passenger 
trains. 

Through the results of past experiences I ask that all 
minds seeking knowledge shall by all means investigate 
for themselves, where proofs can be procured by demon- 
stration. 

The first expression proceeding from the uninitiated 
upon the subject of the immortal return is, "I cannot be- 
lieve it ; for if it be so, why do they not demonstrate it 
to me?" Or, ''Why do they not appear to me?" They 
do not stop to realize that the conditions must first be 
made for so doing. The conditions must first be made 
to receive all knowledge. Should we desire to hear a 
lecture on any particular subject, we must first go where 
that lecture is given. Should we desire to see any 
theatrical play we must go where the place is prepared 
to exhibit that play and pay for our admittance before 
being able to see it. The proper conditions must first 
be made in all cases of either mortal or immortal before 
our eyes or ears can be gratified. 

When all these conditions can be first thoroughly im- 
pressed upon the human mind, and it can be brought to 
understand that these natural laws apply the same to one 
as the other — that without first being prepared there can 
be no show, and without first going to college we may 
never receive an education — it is then that the first prin- 
ciple is received for the acceptance of knowledge. 

The uneducated world has a mystification in regard 
to the supermundane spheres emanating from their Sab- 
bath-school training, that it is wicked to question or 
doubt those things that are unexplainable, and that su- 



INVESTIGATION OF IMMORTAL LIFE. 103 

perstitious training remains with them through their 
earthly life, extending into their future, until they are 
brought to a state of understanding of the true life which 
they have entered upon. There are clergymen today 
who are preaching the same Christian religion in the im- 
mortal world that they were on earth, and looking for 
that same Saviour for whom they have looked for so 
many years on this earth plane, until they are brought to 
a state of understanding that they are laboring under a 
delusion. 

Tn my investigations I have had the privilege of meet- 
ing several of these clergymen, who have returned to 
meet their friends and have held conversation with them 
upon this subject. Some of them, having discovered 
their mistake, have ceased to preach. 

It is not a matter of learning the true laws of nature, 
but when these truths will be learned. Should it not be 
in the mortal world, it must be in the immortal, as then 
the old dogmas that are taught on this side of life will 
be cast aside. 

I am unable in this enlightened age of human exist- 
ence to comprehend the desire of man to refrain from ac- 
cepting and observing the laws of sciences, as they are 
in reach of all who desire to read and understand the 
true laws which control this vast universe so completely 
and perfectly. Should they avail themselves of the right 
literature, which can be procured at so little expense, 
their minds might receive the same intelligence as those 
of the scientific world. The scientific world has already 
advanced and it is the populace that are in need of a 
higher development of intelligent and useful knowledge. 



104 MEDIUMSH1P. 



CHAPTER XII. 



MEDIUM SHI P. 



There are many phases of mediumship through which 
the immortals can return, whereby they may be able to 
prove to this mortal world the truth of a future existence 
and their motives for so doing. Were it not for the ben- 
efits they are able to give this unthankful human exist- 
ence, there is a most serious doubt in my mind whether 
this return would ever be attempted, as the life beyond 
could dispense with the assistance of mortals much more 
easily than we can dispense with them ; yet from personal 
experience and observation I learn we can be of great 
service to them. 

In order to demonstrate clearly, I will illustrate how 
mortal assistance can be given to immortals entering that 
higher life. Immortals with whom I have had no ac- 
quaintance whatever have come to me and expressed a 
desire to talk to me and acknowledged their gratitude 
for this privilege, as it strengthened and assisted them 
in their progression. They explained that they threw 
off an earthly condition each and every time, leaving it 
behind, thus enabling them to progress more rapidly in 
their spiritual condition. I have been brought to believe 
this by the many demonstrations of this character, where 



MEDIUMSHIP. 105 

they have so earnestly persevered in this procedure, and 
I have always gratified their desire so far as it has been 
my privilege. 

1 believe it my duty to assist all immortals in their 
efforts for progression as we do those of this earthly 
existence, and I certainly do believe that it is our duty 
to assist our less fortunate friends in this life in what- 
ever way it may please them, so long as we are not doing 
an injustice to ourselves. 

I have had immortals come to me and request that I 
go or write to those whom they have wronged on this 
earth and beg their forgiveness, that peace might dwell 
between those two souls, and I have responded with 
pleasure, realizing how difficult it was for that immortal 
to progress, while unpleasant thoughts were being re- 
ceived from the mind of the mortal of earth. How little 
the people of earth with their scanty store of knowledge 
are able to realize of the immortal life ; what suffering of 
mind and retarding progress they may produce in the 
immortal world, by sending ill and derogatory thoughts. 
I wish it were possible for me to impress upon the minds 
of the world the great amount of good that may be ac- 
complished by simply sending kind and gentle thoughts 
to those of the immortal world. It is very true that after 
time has called the descendants of several generations to 
the other shore, there will be none left here who can by 
thought or otherwise disturb their peace of mind, as they 
will then be forgotten and pass into oblivion, so far as 
the ignorant part of the world is concerned, and those 
who have passed over will have no desire to do them 
harm by their transmission of thought. I do not wish to 
be understood as proclaiming perfection on the other side 
of life. There is as much corruption and ignorance in 
the lower spheres of the immortal world as on this mun- 



106 MEDIUMSHIP. 

dane sphere. I repeat that we do not change bv the 
simple death of the physical body. As we are here, so 
are we there, and until death with our mental develop- 
ment makes that change, so will we remain. 

My immortal sister not long since told me that there 
were in the first sphere poor immortals who had been 
there for three thousand years. They consisted of thieves, 
murderers, suicides, drunkards and those of like nature. 
They can all be relieved of this darkened and low condi- 
tion if they are willing to progress, but when crime is 
so thoroughly instilled into their minds it is as difficult 
for them to progress out of their condition as while exist- 
ing on this earth, and as selfishness and bigotry usually 
accompany these crimes, it is impossible to ever be re- 
lieved so long as those conditions exist. 

A similar state exists with religious bigots. They may 
remain in the same condition for a long period of time 
before they are able to be convinced of their error, and 
enabled to proceed with their progression, although they 
are not in that low spherical condition. 

Intelligence is the spirit of progression on the other 
as on this side of life. When we can cast aside all 
conditions and influences that tend to retard our spir- 
itual qualifications, we then will be able to proceed in the 
directions that will enable us to progress in a manner that 
will assure us a place of eminence, both on this earth as 
an educator and benefactor of the human family and a 
mansion of prominence in the world to come. 

By the laws of nature man has a natural tendency to 
educate the world beneath him. By this same law the 
higher immortal life, having the same proclivities, is en- 
deavoring to do likewise for the people of earth and im- 
mortals alike. By this law we are guided in the direction 



MEDIUMSHIP. 107 

of thought and ambition, and may better our condition 
both for this life and the life to come. 

As the science of life governs this life and all time to 
come, the immortal world feels its influence, as does this 
earthly condition, there being no change by the death of 
the physical body. We should consider these natural 
conditions in that higher life, and relieve our minds of 
grewsome, mysterious thoughts, and deal with immor- 
tals as people of earth, remembering always to be on the 
alert for a higher intelligence should we be inclined to 
accept advice. 

The new investigator of immortal return, on first 
meeting- his friends, appear to him as coming from some 
hidden or mysterious place, not knowing the laws through 
which they come, or where from, at once takes it for 
granted that they must possess supernatural qualifica- 
tions, accepts all they say or do to be beyond all ques- 
tion or doubt, believing it to be impossible for them to 
err. As he continues his investigations, he will observe 
that results do not follow as anticipated. What, then, 
happens ? A new skeptic has been born of a most treach- 
erous type, and it is with great reluctance that he is ever 
able to be brought back to a true knowledge of the situa- 
tion. After this sad experience he will begin to realize 
that nature is nature. 

I have witnessed immortals come to a skeptic at a 
trumpet sitting whom they did not know, and palm them- 
selves off as father, mother, sister or brother, purely for 
the purpose of talking. The same proclivities for de- 
ception exist as did while on earth. The attraction to 
one of a like nature is one of the natural laws, which 
may frequently be the solution. Many times there are 
magnetic attractions, the immortal believing family or 
friendly ties to exist, but unable to see the sitter plainly 



io8 MEDIUMSHIP. 

on account of a dark emanation created by a skeptical 
or repelling nature. 

In all nature like attracts like. This being true, our 
guides are not unlike ourselves. The same law applies 
to mortals. Society consists of those who are not un- 
like itself, and should a straggler stray in he will not 
remain, as it is not suitable to his condition. 

Our guides being in harmony with ourselves, it is less 
laborious for them to labor with us. Should they not be 
en rapport, no harmony could exist, and our labors in 
development would be retarded. An immortal could not 
reach us except he be en rapport with us, which is per- 
fectly demonstrated in a materializing seance. 

On attending a seance, an immortal may attempt to 
reach you, but recedes. He may repeat this for many 
times. Eventually he may succeed, and again may com- 
pletely fail. This is illustrated more perfectly where the 
sitter is of a doubting nature, and the immortal is unable 
to use his magnetism, it being mixed with a resisting 
emanation, due to his doubting or unsettled mind. 

If you desire perfect results from your guides, it is 
necessary that you live in accordance with nature, refrain 
from all mental interferences, keep aloof from all those 
who are of a revengeful nature, or are stained with crime 
and abstain from ill feelings toward others ; in fact, live 
a life of rectitude and your guides will remain with you. 

The public mind is prone to prejudice against that with 
which it is unfamiliar, new subjects or subjects with 
which it is unacquainted, regardless of the truths they 
contain ; prejudice against others' knowledge or progres- 
sion, prejudice against new ideas because it was not the 
inventor of them. This creates a nefarious mental dis- 
turbance that prevents a high and rapid spiritual pro- 



MEDIUMSHIP. 109 

gression and forms a barrier to close proximity with the 
immortal world. 

The attainments of the mortal remaining with them 
after death of the physical body, are very pronounced on 
their return. The same characteristics of their nature 
are often displayed to a remarkable degree. This is not 
always the case, as by time great changes are wrought, 
as in mortal life. 

I know a lady who on materializing may always be 
recognized by her laugh, one of her characteristics in life. 
So also some others may be recognized by some odd say- 
ings that clung to them while on earth. My father al- 
ways calls me "My boy," while mother, "My dear boy," 
with an air characteristic as I remember them in earth- 
life. 

By your development they are able to reach you by 
using your magnetism. As a greater development takes 
place, the magnetism becomes by degrees of a finer na- 
ture, which increases their strength, and enables them 
to exhibit more pronounced demonstrations, both physic- 
ally and mentally. My first observation of their proxim- 
ity was the touch on my face and head. I drew my sis- 
ter's attention to my head, asking what it might be that 
was apparently disturbing my hair, unconscious of my 
surroundings. This continuing, I learned from a friend 
that our immortal friends sometimes did this when able 
so to do, as a reminder of their presence. This aroused 
my curiosity, and on attending a materializing seance, 
my little guardian angel appeared and said in a sweet 
voice, "I am with you nearly all of my time and touch 
you on the left side of your face and head, and you 
feel me." Since that time I have been able to receive 
answers by that touch. 

Another phase which by perseverence in development 



no MEDIUMSHIP. 

for my investigation has been my good fortune to pos- 
sess, is the independent voice. This is one which permits 
our immortal friends to speak to us in a loud, resonant 
tone not unlike our own. This voice I heard first in the 
morning on awakening. Since then I have learned that 
is the time when the mind is most neutral, or free from 
earthly cares, and they are best able to utilize our forces. - 
I have developed now so that when in my room alone 
under the right conditions I am able to converse with 
them. 

Ofttimes in the early morning, perhaps about 3 o'clock, 
I am awakened by several voices singing some song 
which may, or may not, be known to me, and each time 
varies in character and number of voices. I will admit 
that it is very pleasing to hear, as I am fond of music. 
This phenomenon was repeated very frequently during an 
illness which lasted over a period of six weeks, many 
nights of which I was unable to sleep. 

In order to accomplish this phenomenon the sensitive 
from whom they receive their forces must contain a 
magnetism peculiar to that one particular phase, that 
they may be able to utilize his or her vocal chords to draw 
from ; so that they may create the vibrations sufficiently 
strong when condensed, to apply to their own spiritual 
structure or form, and use at will to produce the char- 
acter of tone they desire. This may not only be utilized 
in singing, but in holding conversation for an indefinite 
period. 

Recently I was called to the bedside of a gentleman 
suffering from pneumonia, and a guide of his in a per- 
fectly audible tone said to me, "Doctor, I want you to 
come and see my dear medium as often as you think 
best and not heed what he may say, as you know better 
what is necessary." Each morning on calling he greeted 



MEDIUMSHIP. in 

me with a "Good morning, Doctor, you will find my me- 
dium improved," which was the case. (All sensitives 
through these laws are recognized by the immortal world 
as mediums.) 

By acquainting ourselves with these laws and princi- 
ples of nature, and by educating our psychic forces which 
are lying dormant for want of knowledge of their exist- 
ence, we all may become to some degree. a sensitive to 
these unseen forces in one way or another, and be en- 
abled to commune with our beloved and departed friends. 

I do not believe that there is one individual on this 
earth plane, were it not for ignorant fear, but would be 
pleased to meet and converse with their friends who have 
passed over to the other shore. Neither do I believe that 
there is one immortal on the other shore who does not 
have a desire to return and commune with their loved 
ones remaining here, weeping for their departure. 

There is only a thin veil intervening between these 
two lives, and with the proper conditions which the im- 
mortal world is, and has been for so many years endeav- 
oring to make, this veil may be drawn, and the light of 
our home over there may be seen as distinctly as the one 
in which we dwell. This idea the uneducated mind may 
endeavor to ridicule, but as that is not the source from 
which we supply our store of useful knowledge, we should 
look upon them with pity, not derision. 

Since the first days of the Fox Sisters with their spirit 
rappings, and their trials of proving to the public their 
innocence, the divine leaders have been striving to prove 
to their followers the fallacy of these laws, for fear of 
losing their job, even though this same demonstration 
would be the greatest proof of the future existence of 
which they are preaching. They are aware that should 
the truth be known to the public at large, and they still 



H2 MEDIUMSHIP. 

continue along the same old lines, their followers would 
be but few, and in consequence they make themselves ene- 
mies of truth. Should they reform in the teachings of 
these principles, and proceed along the lines of morality, 
extracting the right from the wrong in the relations of 
man to man and give to each the privilege of his own 
judgment as to the right or wrong of a question, they 
still would be able to retain their ministerial positions. 
This work is not designed as an argument against any 
church or creed. It wishes them all success so long as 
there is no interference in the mind of man with the 
laws of nature that may create an erroneous impression 
upon the mind, retarding its progress in ascertaining the 
truths of nature's laws. 

When any church or clique endeavors to interfere with 
the sciences, and truths of nature's laws. I decline to rec- 
ognize such principles, as they are detrimental to the 
intelligence and enlightenment of the human mind. 



MATERIALIZATION. 113 



CHAPTER XIII. 



MATERIALIZATION. 



Being aware of the extreme prejudice which the ig- 
norant world entertain against all advancement of science 
or development of whatever nature, it is not surprising 
that man puts forth every effort in his power to thwart 
all inclination in the way of progress which he may per- 
chance have the privilege to encounter, and this per- 
turbating element ofttimes consists of the so-called edu- 
cational benefactors. This class of people consists of 
those who are incapacitated to fathom or reason in a 
philosophical light on a subject which may or may not 
benefit the human mind. 

One of this class, of whom I shall speak, unfortunately 
has connected himself in one way or another with our 
public newspapers, which, I consider, if properly con- 
ducted, one of the greatest educators of the day. With 
a desire to exert an influence on the human mind with 
satisfaction to himself, he endeavors to enter into a sub- 
ject which he has never investigated and of which he is 
absolutely unconversant. He will elaborate with great 
energy upon this subject through his imaginary mind, 
not taking the time nor giving himself the opportunity 
of proving the truth of the situation. I have known of 
instances where this unlettered mind has made an effort 



H4 MATERIALIZATION. 

to make an inroad upon the science of psychology, with 
an obtuse and determined disposition to portray to the 
world the untruthfulness of the supposed hidden secrets, 
which he himself is prepared to disclose. He, with a 
friend of the same mind and disposition, will enter a 
seance room, assuring the sensitive that he in all sincer- 
ity is seeking these truths with an investigating mind. 
He brings with him the disturbing element of his own 
nature, such as an incredulous or skeptical mind must 
produce. It consists of a repelling nature which may be 
able to destroy the entire demonstration of the evening, 
and as this may be one of a materializing nature, no im- 
mortal with the sensitive condition of which they must 
necessarily partake will be able to appear in any satis- 
factory form. With effort these immortals may make an 
attempt to demonstrate their return, but by reason of this 
repelling or poisonous element which emanates from a 
skeptical or obdurate mind, they are unable to accomplish 
what they so greatly desire by their insufficient exposure 
to full view, and cannot meet in hand-shake this repellant 
force. These unfair investigators return to their news- 
paper office and report with a written article of a pre- 
posterous endeavor to hoodwink or defraud the public 
which these charlatans have endeavored to do, at the 
same time being unconscious of the reality of this dem- 
onstration. The next morning an article may appear 
under large headlines, written in glowing language, in 
order to poison the public mind against these truths, of 
which the writer is positively ignorant. We admit that 
there may be frauds in these demonstrations, as are found 
in the pulpit or any other business or occupation, but the 
investigator should first acquaint himself with the true 
facts and should investigate with an unbiased mind. 
As there are such a variety of phases of proof of the 



MATERIALIZATION. 115 

immortal return, I shall not mention more of these er- 
roneous investigations, but let the reader judge from his 
own standpoint the unfairness of these articles. There is 
a prejudicial tendency in regard to this branch of natural 
science where a large per cent of newspaper literature 
works great evil and prevents a disclosure of the laws of 
nature and truth pertaining thereto. I need not go into 
detail as to the laws of this unfairness, as I have dwelt 
at length upon prejudice, ignorance, bigotry and su- 
perstition, but it is my desire to give to the world the 
truths of my investigation, that mankind may not be de- 
ceived. 

Should the world be made familiar with these truths 
through investigation or study of these sciences with 
unbiased conclusions, the enlightenment upon this sub- 
ject would be more readily disclosed. I feel sometimes 
that it is a waste of energy to endeavor to impress upon 
the minds of the unthinking world the truthfulness of 
these phenomena of nature, and then again I realize the 
inconsistency of that despondent disposition. Should we 
so neglect the duty we owe to the less fortunate part of 
humanity, we would violate the laws of nature by which 
we are given the power and knowledge to impart these 
truths. The materializing phenomenon is one of great 
interest to those having a desire to see their loved ones 
who have gone on before, and to be able to meet them 
with a gentle shake of the hand or a tender kiss, and a 
word of solace gives great consolation to their souls and 
brings them to a state of realization in which they can 
appreciate a future condition in life. This phenomenon 
is one of nature's own laws, the principles of which I 
give in brief. 

There must first be a Sensitive who has a band of im- 
mortal guides, which consists of a chemist, who under- 



n6 MATERIALIZATION. 

stands the chemical and scientific workings, and through 
his direction and guidance the immortals prepare them- 
selves for this materialization. There is also one Ijn- 
mortal Guide, who has the direction and supervision of 
how and when they shall come. He will then talk inde- 
pendently and with a distinct voice, that may be heard 
all over the room, directing the sitters how to meet their 
friends. 

This Sensitive by the development of his psychical 
powers is able to give off a magnetic force, sui generis, 
which the immortal world may utilize for this material 
development, by which they are able to attract and con- 
dense emanations both from the animal and vegetable 
kingdom existing in the atmosphere, mould in keeping 
with their own immortal form, that will produce pre- 
cisely the same tissue of which their mortal body was 
formed while on this earth. Their clothes are made in 
like manner, by the knowledge and science of the laws 
of nature and their will, from the matter existing in the 
atmosphere. The tissues of the Sensitive are often taken 
to a certain extent to assist in building up or adding to 
this form, wherein the Sensitive may depreciate in avoir- 
dupois from fifteen to forty pounds, which is proven by 
demonstration from actual weight. This immortal, if 
thoroughly understanding these laws, with an experience 
of many metamorphoses of this kind, is able to complete 
this feat in a very short period of time with perfect ac- 
curacy, and it is possible for him to remain in this posi- 
tion for some little period of time, owing to the condi- 
tions of the circle. In this material condition which he 
takes upon himself he is able to realize all the sensations 
of mortal life and talks upon subjects as a mortal. These 
conditions are perfected by a circle of well-thinking and 
developed people in their higher spiritual attributes ; but 



MATERIALIZATION. 117 

should the circle be composed of sitters of a doubting, 
repelling nature, with no psychical development, an ob- 
tuse nature, a desire to prove an untruth to all they ob- 
serve, a resistance in their nature to all they may see or 
hear, it is possible not to be able to receive a single im- 
mortal return. 

These immortals, their mission being finished, may de- 
materialize almost instantly, disappearing as though 
dropping through the floor, the particles of which they 
are composed instantly returning to the source from 
which they were gathered, and the Sensitive almost as 
quickly recovers his weight. At the time this material 
is taken from the Sensitive, he at once takes on a dis- 
figured or shrunken appearance, so much so that you 
would scarcely recognize his countenance, but recovers 
again, as mentioned. I have witnessed a seance, the Sen- 
sitive being a slender, female figure, and an immortal de- 
siring to take on his natural form to meet his brother — 
one of the sitters — was unable to form his face in keep- 
ing with his manly nature. A gentleman in the circle 
was asked to come forward. One of his hands I held, a 
friend of mine held the other. I looked him directly in 
the face. He was asked to close his eyes by the Sensi- 
tive's guide. On doing so he was masked by a dark form 
coming over his face, they taking from his face sufficient 
material to form the face of the materializing immortal, 
causing him to resemble himself to such perfection that 
my friend was able to recognize his brother at once. I 
mention this phenomenon in order to show the public 
what power and force the immortal world contains. I 
also in this same circle experienced my own guardian 
angel, who has been with me from the moment I was 
born, materialize within ten inches of my knees, in the 
back end of the circle, at least twelve feet from the cabi- 



n8 MATERIALIZATION. 

net. She took my hands, drew me to her, put her arms 
around my neck, kissed me, after which, holding my 
face to hers, she conversed with me in a whisper. Then 
she dematerialized and apparently disappeared at my 
feet as though by magic. The room was sufficiently 
lighted to see this complete metamorphosis. I have met 
my mother, embraced and kissed her and conversed as in 
days gone by. I have also in this same way met my sis- 
ters, who are in the immortal world. A cousin of mine, 
who was a Colonel of his regiment in the Civil War, and 
was killed while carrying the flag, after three color-bear- 
ers had been shot, came to me and before saying one 
word, displayed the United States flag, snapping his fin- 
gers to produce the sound of a musket, and dropped on 
his knees, illustrating the manner in which he was shot. 
He then told me who he was, and I fully recognized his 
countenance prior to receiving this intelligence. This 
he has repeated from time to time, in which I have made 
the conditions for him to do, and he has taken great 
pleasure in my introducing him to the audience and ex- 
plaining the conditions under which he met his demise. 

In relating my personal experience in my investiga- 
tions, I give with reluctance the facts, for fear the pub- 
lic cannot comprehend all, as they are so in accordance 
with mortal life. 

I have in my possession hair which by prior agreement 
I cut from the heads of three Immortals, in my own 
house, in which they all materialized on one occasion, 
the Sensitive coming to my house unconscious of the 
results that followed, and knows nothing of these facts 
today, so far as I am aware. There was no cabinet and 
a very good light on this memorable occasion. 

On one occasion in which a guide seance was held, 
they giving me a list of guests whom they desired in 



MATERIALIZATION. 119 

attendance, we all contributed bountifully to a store of 
luxuries and flowers. I ordered two large cakes, on 
one of which I had a white flower, a favorite of the Im- 
mortal to whom it was to be presented, also his name, 
"Billy" ; and on the other an American flag and the name 
"Captain H.", he being a captain in the Civil War. Dur- 
ing the evening "Billy" materialized, sang a song, cut 
his cake, then again cutting three small pieces, gave one 
to my friend, one to me, and the other he kept himself, 
then gave a toast, which I do not remember, and we each 
placed the cake in our mouths and ate. 
1 Next came the captain, cut his likewise, calling this 
same friend of mine, and a lady, who immediately re- 
sponded. He passed to each a piece, gave a toast, laying 
his piece down, we eating our own. During this even- 
ing's entertainment my little guardian angel came to me, 
robed in a most gorgeous gown, ornamented with rare 
jewels, wearing a crown set with jewels, with a large 
star blazing in front. She took my hand, kissed and 
conversed with me. A once-famous actress followed, 
gowned in a beautiful street costume and carrying a 
parasol. I complimented her on her taste, especially the 
beautiful hat she wore. She replied, "Thank you ; but 
isn't it a dr^am ?" I could but acknowledge the fact. 

Next came an immortal friend, a woman nearly six 
feet in height, and most beautiful to look upon. She 
was clad in a light buff evening gown, her lovely white 
neck adorned with diamonds and pearls. She shook 
hands, as did all others, with each guest, and carried out 
her part of the program. A little Indian girl came with 
the costume characteristic of her race, and did a great 
deal of talking. There were several others, but my mem- 
ory does not serve me sufficiently well to describe them. 

This is only one instance of the many which I have 

9 



120 MATERIALIZATION. 

witnessed in my investigations. There is one other 
which may not only be of interest to the reader, but proof 
of the phenomena which I shall mention. A friend of 
mine, desiring a private seance for our own family, sug- 
gested and secured a certain night with a Sensitive. We 
attended, there being five in number, and the results 
can only be appreciated by one of experience in this 
phase of immortal return. During the evening I was 
able to waltz with my little guardian angel, and others 
did likewise. She also danced the scarf dance, material- 
izing the scarf for the dance, and did one other, an Egyp- 
tian dance, as she is an Egyptian, and lived during Cle- 
opatra's time. One of the ladies present waltzed with 
an immortal, once a noted actress, she whistling all the 
time, as there was no music. My friend did the cake- 
walk with her in a very graceful style. 

An Egyptian guide, my mother, and one or two of 
my sisters came that evening, and each of the party met 
several of their friends and guides. I fully recall the sug- 
gestion the actress made to me that evening, which was, 
"not to mention this to the public, as they are ignorant of 
these laws, and would consider you crazy." 

I only mention these facts as proof of what I am en- 
deavoring to substantiate of these laws of nature, of 
which the public at large are so ignorant and upon which 
they are too bigoted to inform themselves. 

These are a few out of a great many demonstrations 
of this character which I have witnessed, for the pur- 
pose of proving both to myself and the public the truth 
of these laws governing the various phenomena of im- 
mortal return. 

By these results I desire to prove the necessity of mak- 
ing the conditions, that we may procure satisfactory re- 
sults, and illustrate to our fellow man the proofs of our 



MATERIALIZATION. 121 

investigations. By so doing, we may see that the immor- 
tal world is familiar with laws of which the mortal world 
is comparatively ignorant. 

The question has been often asked with an assuring 
air that they were about to foil me : "What is an im- 
mortal, and of what do they consist ?" This question, al- 
though simple, 1 will answer: "It is the Ego, the spirit, the 
mind of man, and when it leaves the physical body there 
are no reasoning faculties remaining to control the body. 
It can never die. as there is nothing material in which 
death can take place. It is all mental and exists as it did 
when in the body. It is no more a spirit than when in 
the body, but is relieved of that body, as a chicken is re- 
lieved of its shell, and will live on forever and forever, 
growing in intelligence as time rolls by. Death makes 
no change further than the release of the physical body. 
The future is only a continuity of this life ; all of our 
senses remain with us just the same and the mind goes 
on to development." When we can comprehend these 
facts of nature, we will then be able to realize the sim- 
plicity of the laws of the immortal world. When we can 
realize how perfectly natural it is for our friends, who 
have spent so many years of their life on this earth plane, 
and so many of their friends still remain here, to have a 
desire to return in order that they may be with them, and 
assist them in every way it is possible for them so to do, 
we can then realize the truth of their return. Is it possible 
that the same mind which dwelt here in our midst, with 
whom we conversed from day to day and argued upon 
the general topics of the times, shared so many mutual 
pleasures, from days of childhood to days of more ma- 
ture years, through trials of adversity and pleasures of 
prosperity — perchance a mother, who has cradled you 
from infancy, watched over you and cared for you 



122 MATERIALIZATION. 

through life, during all the ailments incidental to child- 
hood, who has sung so many sweet lullabies with an air 
of contentment and satisfaction that this was her darling 
child over whom she was guarding, taking pride in the 
thought of a bright future when it might aspire to some 
lofty attainment, passes into oblivion, in which no rem- 
nant of these sweet thoughts remain to bless and watch 
over the loved ones remaining on this shore? 

I feel thankful to be able to assure all mortals of this 
earth that there is a blest assurance that if you do not 
make the conditions in this life, on the other shore your 
friends will be in waiting with outstretched hands to 
receive you and prove to you the truth of which they 
have so perseveringly tried to demonstrate — that there 
is a life beyond the grave. 

There are many conditions under which they have 
endeavored to demonstrate to the mortal world the reality 
of a future life, and it is through the forces of mortals 
that this demonstration is usually made. Should you 
find that they differ in different sensitives, do not in 
haste denounce any of them until you prove their de- 
ficiency, as in so doing you will force yourself into a 
skeptical state which will harm your condition. 

One Sensitive may be obliged to entrance in order to 
produce materialization, while another does not ; one may 
be able to materialize the hands and upper part of the 
body, while another gives the full and distinct form 
which is true to their mortal life ; again, one may only 
etherialize forms, which are in the form of vapor. An- 
other impersonates. This is when the immortal controls 
them in their natural appearance, and talks through them. 
Another may become transfigured. This is when the im- 
mortal clothes and changes the Sensitive's entire physi- 
ognomy, even putting beard on the face in order to 



MATERIALIZATION. 123 

make them appear like the one they desire to represent. 

I have witnessed all of these and have been able to 
examine them with the most careful scrutiny. I have 
been in the cabinet and witnessed this change, the Sen- 
sitive being unconscious of my presence, as he was en- 
tranced. The clothes were materialized in my presence. 
Should the investigator be sincere in his work, the im- 
mortal world will keep no secret from him, as they desire 
the world to know these facts, and the one who is earnest 
and willing to disclose to the world these past hidden 
truths may receive all the knowledge he desires. 

There are many varieties of psychic phenomena, by 
which the public may, through their own fancied investi- 
gations, prove the truth of the immortal return ; but 
what may be satisfactory to one may to another signify 
nothing. Therefore it rests with the seeker after truth 
to employ the means by which he may receive the most 
satisfactory results. After having the various phenom- 
ena placed before him, he must determine what course 
he will pursue, and I shall advise no one to insist upon 
the acceptance of these natural laws, should they have 
no desire to receive them, as by so doing, invariably a 
discord arises which repels the reception of these truths, 
and when they can understand the importance of apply- 
ing this branch of science to their stock of useful knowl- 
edge, they will accept the course by which it may be 
acquired. 

There must be an experience before the mind is in a 
condition to receive the knowledge, no matter how much 
others may be able to rehearse their experiences. With- 
out an education upon the subject, and their early educa- 
tion in contradistinction to all of these new ideas pre- 
sented to them, it is doubly hard to comprehend what 
appears to be of such a miraculous nature. 



124 TRUMPET. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

TRUMPET. 

There are upward of forty phases of mediumship, as 
I have been informed by a friend from the immortal 
world. He delivered for my instruction on the use of the 
trumpet, a lecture of about one hour, in which I received 
a great deal of useful information apart from the sub- 
ject which he was discussing. 

I consider the phase for demonstration of immortal re- 
turn by the trumpet to be one of the most intelligent of 
any with which I am familiar, as you are then able to 
converse with your friends face to face without inter- 
ference of any kind from the Sensitive. You are able 
to question and be questioned not unlike in your own 
home. Here you may meet your friends in song and 
jollity. You can, if so desiring, be alone with the Sensi- 
tive and your own immortal friends, from whom you can 
receive such information from the immortal world as 
they have received in their stage of progression, and on 
matters of business such as in their power to disclose 
on this side of life. 

An immortal, in order to perform any demonstrations 
in this life, must have a magnet, or Sensitive, through 
which they are able to draw their forces, as each indi- 



TRUMPET. 125 

vidual of this earth is possessed of a different proportion 
of chemical composition, and each having his own spe- 
cial phase, it is only possible for certain persons to con- 
tain the proper magnetism to successfully meet the re- 
quirements for this particular phase, and then there are 
several phases of this similar nature. Some retain all 
of their senses while others are entranced. 

This phase may be described as follows : A Sensitive 
developed by an immortal for this particular phenom- 
enon, under his own supervision, and with the right con- 
ditions, which are a totally darkened room in order to 
produce a negative state, light being positive, sits erect 
in his chair, with his trumpet — an instrument or tin horn 
about three feet in length, small at one end and di- 
verging to about three or four inches at the other — 
placed usually on the end, near the Sensitive. 

The wisdom immortal, who is the main guide, con- 
trols and directs all matters pertaining to the seance, 
there being others as assistants. A complete band of a 
certain number, of which I am at this time not informed, 
appears to be necessary, although there are usually but 
two or three who do the work as one observes. 

With most of my experience, the immortal desiring to 
talk, first taps on the trumpet, denoting that some one 
is there. The Sensitive will respond by asking: "Who is 
it?" or, "Well," or something to that effect. Then the 
immortal will take the trumpet and soar it in the air, 
and begin to talk in whispers or in loud, strong, voice, ac- 
cording to his strength or the amount of experience he 
has had in this way of procedure. 

They hold the trumpet in the air by a repelling force 
contrary to the laws of gravitation which permit them 
to soar the trumpet to the ceiling and retain it there if 
they choose, or float it around the room, which they 



126 TRUMPET. 

have done for me, tapping on it as they soar through the 
air. I have seen them float a music box weighing thirty 
pounds in the same manner. 

They place their vocal organs inside of this trumpet, 
and as there is nothing solid to the immortal world, the 
trumpet does not interfere in the least respect with their 
spiritual body. Having developed clairvoyancy, I am 
able to see them, therefore can vouch for this statement. 

They draw forces from the Sensitive which they 
utilize. This something which they use appears to par- 
take of his spiritual nature. It is really a part of him, and 
for the period of time in which the immortal is talking he 
is in a semi-dazed condition, if not in a trance, although 
some are able to answer questions and can comprehend 
all that is said. 

At this period of time, while the immortal is convers- 
ing, should a bright light be sprung upon the Sensitive, 
before the immortal is able to return this force or life 
principle (of whatever nature it may be, which I regret 
I have been unable to ascertain), he would in an instant 
drop to the floor, bleeding at the nose and mouth, or 
possibly expire, owing to his physical condition at the 
time. 

I speak of the above incident as an acquaintance of 
mine suffered this experience on account of a child in 
the next room opening a door of the seance-room, let- 
ting in a bright light, and the above effects took place, 
after which he was laid up for several weeks, unable to 
follow his vocation. I am able to quote other instances 
of this nature, in which they became totally paralyzed or 
suffered other detrimental effects, but knowing only 
by hearsay, or from articles read upon the subject, I can- 
not vouch for their veracity. 

This conversation while going on is just as natural as 



TRUMPET. 127 

any human voice, and is just as satisfactory. Should any 
one desire to meet their immortal helpers or guides, 
this is one of the most satisfactory opportunities that they 
could ever be permitted to acquaint themselves with. 

I have been told that there are ftiose who have been 
perpetrating frauds on this class of mediumship. Al- 
though I have investigated a goodly number, I have 
never been, able to find any of that class, and I am in- 
clined to believe that they are imaginary. 

The investigator will observe that on the first appear- 
ance of the immortal it is with great effort that he is 
enabled to give his name, or speak understandingly, 
which creates a feeling of distrust in the mind of the in- 
vestigator. Should he proceed to talk in a lively, vi- 
bratory voice, the immortal will at once grow stronger, 
and perhaps speak with a loud, resonant voice, after 
which he will give his name, former address, relatives 
and acquaintances, and the cause of the death of the 
physical body. 

A gentleman came to me during one of these immortal 
conversations and gave his name as Horace D., saying, 
"I graduated in your class in college." I responded by 
saying, "When did you pass over there?" His reply was 
the following: "I was practicing medicine down in 
Texas, and about a year ago I was out at night making 
calls, when my horse took fright, ran away, dashing off 
a steep precipice, killing us both, and not until three 
days later did they find us. I left a wife and little girl, 
who are now at her mother's in Arizona, and I think 
she will be over here soon, as she is mourning her life 
away." In the course of conversation he asked that he 
might attach himself to my band, saying, "You have 
such a splendid influence around you." I thereupon ex- 
pressed a thankful acceptance, he responding that I 



128 TRUMPET. 

should take his horse, too. After which he showed clair- 
voyantly to me his horse, wagons and stable, all of which 
he had prized highly. 

I give the above in brief as an illustration of immor- 
tal life and the natural laws governing it, with the 
powers of communicating not only by word, but also by 
vision. 

Through this phase I have kept up communication 
with a friend in various localities, where on account of 
business matters he has been from time to time. 

A sister of mine residing in New York, in the fall of 
1902, was stricken with paralysis. Through two of my 
guides, both professional gentlemen and immortals, I 
have been reliably informed not only as to her physical 
condition, but of all the little details of her home life, and 
have written her upon these subjects, she accepting 
them, to the great perturbation of mind of the remaining 
family. 

These visits were made twice a day for several months 
that I might keep in touch with her immediate condition. 
They are still continued at longer intervals, in order that 
I may keep informed as to the natural results of these 
laws, under which the grand and fathomless universe is 
so accurately controlled, and the assistance which med- 
ical treatment is producing upon her in carrying out 
this law of nature. 

We as a part of nature are placed here to play our role 
in the assistance of these laws, else we would not be here 
as children of nature, and not as some suppose, to be a 
hindrance to these great laws. 

When we are able to comprehend our mission on this 
earth and understand that we are a part of the construc- 
tion of the principles of which this great universe of 
worlds is composed, that we play our part in this theater 



TRUMPET. 129 

of human existence, and on our exit, we practice our part 
in a higher theatrical sphere, when by time, study and 
experience we may become a light in all-star cast, then 
we will realize the necessity of making our first venture 
on this earth plane by receiving and grasping all the 
knowledge needful to enter this school of acting, that 
we may not become a simple super, ashamed to show 
ourselves on the stage of action. 



ijo THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 



CHAPTER XV. 



THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 



Thoughts are vibratory emanations or fractions of the 
mind, which are utilized for its accommodation. These 
emanations, or fractions, are transmitted to any place or 
distance by means of a magnetic current proceeding from 
the mind — in earth life — taken from the physical body, 
with which such bodies are to a more or less degree so 
charged. 

The amount of emanations given off is due to the 
amount of magnetism the physical body contains, each 
thought consuming a greater or less quantity of this 
magnetism, due to the amount of force used in the 
thought given off. Should a great effort on the part of 
the mind be made to exert an influence on an obtuse 
mind, it will require a greater force of this magnetism 
for that purpose, and therefore cause a greater drain 
upon the body, which is quite perceptible to the individ- 
ual giving it off. 

The thought is never lost, but returns to the mind 
from which it proceeded, while the magnetism which it 
has utilized for its conveyance never returns to the phys- 
ical body again. This may be termed lost energy. 
Where there is a great amount of mental energy required 



THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 131 

to accomplish labor of that kind, it is essential for the 
physical body to have as much rest as possible, to be 
well nourished and to abstain from all that may have a 
tendency to create a drainage upon it, that a great 
amount of magnetic force may be accumulated for that 
purpose. The mind and body cannot both labor at the 
same time for a long period, as the forces will soon be- 
come exhausted, and what then happens ? A wreck ensues 
of both body and mind. The body becomes incapable of 
retaining a sufficient force to supply mental energy, or 
neutralize and prevent disease from taking possession of 
the physical body. 

In receiving or giving off thoughts, the body must be 
in a state of perfect rest, and the mind in repose. The 
early morning is the time when both are more fully re- 
cuperated, and a long and perfect night's rest is con- 
ducive to clear and intelligent thoughts. 

Sunshine is a great generator of magnetism, and es- 
pecially where one may exist between the sun and 
Mother Earth ; for instance, in the park or country, 
where he can commune with nature and receive the ben- 
efits of its solitude. Contact with many people with 
magnetism of various consistencies is more or less detri- 
mental to the mind, for the transmission of these- 
thoughts, as a current of this mixture prevents clear and 
distinct representation of that mind's . desire. Neither 
can the mind receive as clearly through this mixed mag- 
netism thoughts which it desires to receive. Thought is 
a living thing, and when transmitted through a highly 
developed spiritual magnetism it can readily be recog- 
nized as such. 

When these natural or psychological laws are more 
thoroughly understood, these principles will be better 



132 THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 

comprehended and taken advantage of in utilizing them 
for personal mental development. 

The physical body acts as a medium, through which 
the mind performs its functions. The physical body fur- 
nishes the vehicle through which the spirit, or mind, 
is able to transmit its thoughts and ideas, precisely as 
does a spirit of the immortal world by entrancing this 
same body, in order to transmit thoughts that no mortal 
spirit or mind is able to understand or know. The im- 
mortal utilizes this same magnetic force for its purpose 
that the mortal uses for his purpose. The immortal 
mind being the stronger of the two, takes complete 
control of the body, causing the mortal mind to cease 
action until it has accomplished its desires, after which it 
is surrendered to the mortal body again. This accounts 
for so many negative or uneducated minds becoming 
spiritual sensitives, although there are very many intel- 
lectual minds which by development become extraor- 
dinarily fine sensitives, or mediums. 

It is in this similar manner that the immortal is en- 
abled to transmit his thoughts into the brain of a mortal, 
by which mortal may pen in his own handwriting 
thoughts which he has not, or otherwise would not 
have been able to have known. This is inspirational 
writing. 

It is through this latter procedure that all natural-born 
poets are able to pen those beautiful thoughts in verse 
that reach the heart and sooth the soul of man. 

The immortal transmitting these thoughts employs the 
same force of magnetism that is used by the mortal, 
thereby creating a greater drainage upon the physical 
body. When this magnetism becomes exhausted the 
writer is compelled to cease his work for want of ma- 



THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 133 

terial to write, as then the immortal has no further force 
by which he is able to transmit his thoughts. 

The same phenomenon takes place with many of our 
best public speakers. They have as guides men of great 
mental ability who have passed to the other side many 
years ago, and who now in order to continue their work, 
are infusing their bright thoughts into the minds of those 
who through their magnetism can carry on to completion 
the object of their early ambition. 

When this exhaustion takes place, by loss of magnet- 
ism from a too long exertion in writing, the immortal 
meets with the same fatigue as does the mortal or writer, 
and requires mental rest precisely the same. On many 
occasions I have interviewed them on this subject, and 
from their own lips have received this information. I 
therefore would suggest that all inspirational writers 
should in consideration for both their helpers and them- 
selves refrain from carrying their work to excess. 

The immortal world holds its entire communication 
with each other by this transmission of thought, and 
it is only when talking with mortals that they ever ex- 
press their thoughts by sound. I have known them to be 
so completely out of the practice of articulating sound 
that it was with great difficulty they were enabled to con- 
verse with me, when with a little practice they would 
resume as perfect an articulation as when on earth. 

I believe that it is possible for the people of this earth 
by developing their finer nature, and by practice to be 
able to converse by thought transmission, not unlike 
the immortal world ; and when there is an impaired hear- 
ing it would be infinitely more satisfactory to all con- 
cerned, should they make no attempt to hear. I further 
believe that nature has provided this means to eradicate 
in a great measure this unpleasant embarrassment. 



134 THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 

After the intellectual mind is fully under control of 
the immortal spirit, inspiration occurs of some nature 
following the natural proclivities of the spirit forces ; 
and then those beautiful thoughts in either prose or 
verse may be penned that reach the heart of the reader. 

Circumstances have occurred in which the sensitive 
when uncontrolled has never been known under the most 
trying ordeal to pen a verse of thought that would be ac- 
ceptable in any work of literature. Great inventions, 
by which the world has been immeasurably benefited, 
have been brought out through the mind of a sensitive, 
by some immortal who has been in earth-life of an in- 
ventive mind, and sciences of various nature have been 
assisted under like circumstances. 

These incidents prove to the reader that the develop- 
ment of the spiritual nature of man, which in so many 
instances has lain dormant, will admit of the transmis- 
sion of the immortal forces by those natural laws 
through the brains of mortals, and the public benefited 
by an experience of thousands of years. 

Should nature provide a law merely for this little earth 
and not provide us with a future life and dwelling place, 
it would have been better by far had we not existed at 
all, as the enjoyments we receive here would not repay us 
for the suffering and disappointment that we encounter ; 
and to rid this earth of all animate life would be a great 
blessing for nature to bestow upon us. 

The laws of nature with which we are not familiar 
are not unlike all new inventions and subjects with 
which we have not acquainted ourselves. The alphabet 
to the child is a mystery ; he can neither see what it is 
for, nor why it should be learned. How the piano could 
be played with such dexterity to the uneducated mind is 
a great mystery. The city to a child who has been 



THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 135 

brought up in the country is as much of a mystery as 
those unknown laws of nature are to us. What is a 
hidden mystery to the uneducated mind, is scarcely a con- 
sideration to the scientific mind. 

Thus we go through life with mysteries coming and 
vanishing, as we pass on to the various stages of devel- 
opment, and still the mind becomes shocked with the first 
knowledge of new ideas or phenomena, as they are then 
called, and yet they are as old as time. We will never 
become accustomed to new sights or ideas, but that a 
shudder of awe comes over us at our first knowledge of 
their existence. It is only by time and acquaintance 
with these once mysteries that we may ever learn and un- 
derstand their scientific truths. 

Should the child on first sitting at the piano say to 
himself, "This is an instrument which I can never under- 
stand," and continue to think that way, he would never 
master it in all of its sweet melodies. Neither would the 
philosopher have worked out all those grand and noble 
scientific problems that have given enlightenment to the 
world, by which we are able to understand clearly the 
laws of natural forces, and our lives made easier and 
our pleasures and comforts greatly enhanced. 

When we can feast our minds on these grand and 
noble thoughts and realize the development in these laws 
of nature which have released us from the dungeon of 
ignorance and superstition, and opened the windows 
of the soul to all of our beautiful surroundings, that we 
may see with clear and intelligent vision the benefits of 
progression, we should express in thankful terms our 
gratitude to the fathers of thought and invention. 

We today are living in the greatest period of progres- 
sion that the world has ever known, and with the star- 
tling scientific developments of today, it does appear that 
10 



136 THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 

any thinking mind would hesitate to declare against new- 
discoveries or truths, without at least seeking an investi- 
gation. 

It is unnatural for the investigating mind to ever be at 
rest, and it is to the workings of this mind that the world 
owes all of the intelligence it possesses, of whatever na- 
ture or form. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the 
pleasant music that cheers us by its melodious vibrations, 
the portrayal of life by theatrical devices, the assistance 
of nature in the delicate cultivation of flowers and shrub- 
bery, and the magnificent homes with all their modern 
conveniences in the way of heating and lighting — these, 
and more than these, we may credit to the philosophical 
rnind ; yet the less thinking world will strain their efforts 
to retard progression. 

The immortal world today are making strenuous ef- 
forts to assist this mortal sphere in its strife for intelli- 
gence and enlightenment upon all matters that will give 
consolation and satisfaction in the strides of progression. 
They are striving to demonstrate to the people of earth 
more clearly the perfect laws of nature under which the 
immortal world is controlled and by which that mist of 
darkness and doubt with all of its superstition may be 
cleared away. \ 

Through these inspirations we are able to receive the 
transmission of thoughts from sages who have lived 
thousands of years, with their collection of useful knowl- 
edge, that man could not in his short time ever gain 
with the most acute intellectual faculties. Gould unedu- 
cated Shakespeare, without the .inspiration of some lofty 
mind, have written the works of so grand a character, 
and so true to nature, that the world holds them as mas- 
terpieces, with which it endeavors to fill its brain, that 



THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 137 

it might quote his sayings — a work pre-eminent for 
all ages? 

Could Robert Burns, an uneducated ploughboy, have 
written his poetical works, that have touched the hearts 
of the world for all generations since his time ? Emphat- 
ically, no. To the world of knowledge it would be ab- 
surd. It would be more than a miracle for such to be ac- 
complished. 

All of our greatest writers of today receive their grand- 
est and most noble thoughts through the immortal world. 
A man who is born with natural instinct of poetry in his 
mind will always be a poet forever and forever. The 
same will be true of all other branches of useful knowl- 
edge. As they go on to a higher stage of development, 
they grow in knowledge as time rolls by, never ceasing 
in the growth of intelligence, and some day they will 
find some poor, struggling mortal through whose mag- 
netism they will be able, to impart some of their store of 
useful knowledge, to the great satisfaction of the re- 
ceiver. When this is once established, and the mortal 
receives and applies it to a useful advantage, he can as- 
sure himself that they will remain with him until he 
passes from this stage of action, always coming at his 
beck and call. 

I wish right here to explain more fully how the com- 
munication is established between these two souls. 

An immortal comes to you because he sees an oppor- 
tunity to assist or be of service to you, and as all of their 
work consists of doing good, as helping mortals, or im- 
mortals, whichever they can do to the greatest advan- 
tage, he, observing that you contain a magnetism not 
unlike his own which he can utilize to his great advan- 
tage, attempts his work, and, if accepted, lays out his 
plans and carries them out so far as is possible so to do. 



138 THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 

Should he be able to impress you with his presence, or 
cause you to be brought to an understanding by dem- 
onstrations, he will assert it, and then will be in a posi- 
tion to develop your latent spiritual powers, that he may 
use you to the best possible advantage. You will then 
receive in full the benefits of thousands of years of re- 
search and experience. This explanation proceeds from 
personal experience which I feel it my duty to give to 
humanity for their further information. 

There are many writers and inventors of today who 
are receiving unconsciously benefits from the unseen 
forces, who may never know from what source their 
knowledge proceeds. Yet they wonder how it was pos- 
sible that they ever should have thought of things ap- 
parently so foreign to their surroundings or previous 
education. 

Many times I have been interrogated as to how and 
when an immortal friend was aware that you desired 
hirn. They establish a magnetic chord between you and 
themselves through which they keep informed of all 
your doings, and are probably with you during your 
waking hours, going to their spiritual homes only while 
you are slumbering. Your guardian angel is the one 
who keeps the most vigilant guard over all of your move- 
ments, and in every instance may call others when he or 
she may deem it necessary, as they all have their own 
work in their own sphere to do for their own progres- 
sion. 

My guides, or benefactors, as they may be called, have 
requested of me should they not be present when I de- 
sired them, to demand them by calling them by name 
and saying, "I want you now. Come to me." 

I first declined to make this demand, as I could not feel 
that I had a right to take this liberty with those whom 



THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 139 

I knew to be my benefactors, and expressed as much to 
them. Each replied, "I insist on this, as I belong to 
you." It was a long, long time before I could become 
reconciled to this command, but have eventually fallen 
into the way of doing so. 

They come or go at will. Distance is no consideration. 
Where their minds desire to go, there at that instant 
they are. They may float through the air at leisure if 
they so desire. In fact, they travel as your own mind, 
as it is their minds that live. Thoughts being fractions 
of the mind, they may think of a person or place, and 
not go there, as it is only a fraction of that mind. We 
may think of a person or place, and it being only a frac- 
tion of" our mind, the remaining portion of that mind 
may be with us. The mind may be trained to send out as 
many thoughts as we desire, and yet the mind proper is 
still with us. When they go to accomplish a purpose the 
mind goes, a thought will not do, as that fraction of 
mind will not accomplish the purpose. When they float 
through the air they utilize a repelling force which repels 
gravitation, and with this force they are enabled to carry 
articles of great weight. In this act they dematerialize 
the object that they desire to transport. I have known 
them to dematerialize flowers and pass them into a house, 
and then materialize them again. I have witnessed this 
phenomenon on several occasions. 

I have been informed that upon one occasion they 
brought a skin of some kind — I have forgotten what — 
and several small instruments from India to Australia, 
for a gentleman and dropped them on a table in the 
middle of the room, with the doors and windows closed. 
This last statement I am unable to vouch for. 

There are many laws of nature that I know exist, that 
I am yet unable to account for. This I do know, that 



140 THOUGHT AND INSPIRATION. 

it is possible for them to pass solids through solids, or, 
rather, that they are through these laws enabled to sep- 
arate solids into particles of so fine a nature that they 
can pass them through a brick wall, and then to rear- 
range them into the same solids again. These laws of 
nature will at some future time be understood by the 
mortal world. To the immortal world there are no 
solids, and they are able to pass through a brick wall as 
easily as through an open door. I was amused to hear 
the immortal mother of my friend talking with him upon 
the many wonderful things she had learned since in 
the spirit world, and among the many she remarked, 
"Why, my son, do you know that I can go right through 
a solid brick wall?" She evidently retained the same 
natural desire to disclose all of the wonderful things 
which she was able to do, as in earth life. 

This same gentleman, a very bright business man, is 
developing the phases of both trumpet and materializing 
just for his and his immediate friends' diversion, in or- 
der that they may be able to see and converse with their 
own immortal friends at will. 

I am pleased to see the many bright minds becoming 
interested in a way that will bring the less intelligent to 
realize that there is a life beyond this, and that it is 
necessary that they shall gain knowledge in this life in 
order to gain a life of knowledge and attainments on the 
other shore. Preparation for that future life will fit them 
for a higher life on this earth plane, and the public mind 
will rise to a more lofty standard of intelligence. 



AFFINITY. 141 



CHAPTER XVI. 

AFFINITY. 

The study of the laws of nature and their influence 
upon earth-life is too little understood by the public at 
large for them to appreciate and enjoy its workings. 
People of the lesser spiritual nature are born into and 
pass out of this world, scarcely realizing that there was 
ever such a law existing. They are not unlike Harriet 
Beecher Stowe's famous Topsy, "just growed." 

They follow the laws of the church, regardless of sci- 
ences, the latter never appealing to them, and that con- 
dition exists today, and will continue to exist until the 
world is taught self-reliance. The church is not a sup- 
port to lean upon for a future salvation, but there is a 
law of nature by which their future life is governed and 
controlled. It is the conscience only that gives them 
their standing in the future life, and a life here of ignor- 
ance and indolence metes out to- them a life of like na- 
ture over there. They may then realize the necessity of 
studying the laws by which this as well as the future life 
is controlled. 

Self-reliance should be instilled into the human mind 
from infancy, and mankind be taught to regard the prin- 
ciples and laws by which life is protected and controlled, 



142 AFFINITY. 

that a life of intelligence and usefulness may be led 
regarding and respecting the welfare of fellow man. 
These are the true principles of the laws, and if regarded 
and lived up to, the salvation of the soul will be assured. 

The law of affinity is one in which the human mind is 
deeply interested at the present time. There are articles 
touching upon that subject discussed through our lit- 
erary organs, and the public are gasping for at least one 
breath of enlightenment. 

Affinity is one of nature's fundamental and important 
laws. It is the lav/ by which not only the animate but 
inanimate structures of the universe are held in per- 
fect unison. 

It is affinity that unites the molecules of all metals, en- 
abling us to utilize them in the various ways for our own 
comforts and pleasures. It is affinity that joins the two 
poles and creates the current of electricity. Affinity at- 
tracts all animate life toward each other, and when it 
comes to the human family we should tread softly for 
fear of mistake. Two men may have an affinity in a 
business way, and not in a social or literary way, while 
two others may be affinities in literature and not in social 
or business life. The same of women, each having their 
affinity for some phase of life. The greatest affinity — 
as true to nature — exists between the two sexes. 

These are nature's uncontrollable laws, by which the 
world is populated, ofttimes by mistake in violation of 
these laws. When two souls are united in bonds of 
matrimony, after the period of attraction from passion, 
dress, or worldly surroundings has vanished, and they 
begin to understand that they entertain no love for each 
other, that there is no spiritual affinity existing in their 
souls, they should no longer remain in this bond of 
wedlock until children are born with a curse of crime 



AFFINITY. 143 

congenital in its nature, proceeding from this criminal 
union, the result of the violation of nature's laws. 

A child born of such parentage must partake to a 
greater or less degree of that wrangling, repelling nature, 
and what is the result? Our prisons and asylums are 
filled with these poor, pitiable creatures, for which none 
other than their own miserable parents are to blame. 
Yet the clergymen and many other idol worshipers, who 
have no idea whatsoever of the true laws of nature gov- 
erning this procedure, will insist that these two unfor- 
tunates, regardless of their mental torture, and the crime 
they are committing in bringing criminals into the world 
as a curse to progression, shall live as they term it, in 
matrimonial wedlock. 

In reading their articles upon this subject I have 
formed toward them a feeling of disgust, and yet of pity, 
for their display of ignorance. 

Should these religious pilots take time to educate them- 
selves upon this subject, and act in accordance with the 
laws of nature, crime would to a perceptible degree be 
diminished. By teaching these principles from their 
rostrums, the world may to a great degree become en- 
lightened upon this important subject. 

When people are able to discriminate between love 
and passion, and when parents will cease to arrange mar- 
riages in their families for financial gain or title, crime 
from this cause may be averted. 

There is but one real and true affinity existing between 
two souls. Many marriages may be made where two 
souls may be joined in love, and these souls united in 
harmony while here on earth. It is not necessary for a 
perfect affinity to exist whereby two souls of the opposite 
sex may live in harmony during the natural existence of 
mortal life, as both may contain a magnetism that is 



144 AFFINITY. 

capable of blending, thereby creating a union that may 
appear inseparable so far as this life is concerned. This 
union, without the knowledge of the perfect affinity, and 
with a little forbearance on the part of each, may con- 
tinue as pleasurably as physical life could desire ; but 
on reaching the immortal world, they may discover that 
their only and true affinity is in waiting for them on 
that other shore. 

This is a condition that mortals, or immortals, cannot 
control. It is nature's law and cannot be averted. One 
is not perfect without the other. These two minds may 
be born at different periods of thousands of years, but 
the one must of necessity await the coming of the other. 
These two are called soul-mates. 

I have conversed with immortals whom I knew on this 
earth upon this same subject, six of whom were married 
and had families while here, and each on entering the 
immortal world met his soul-mate, or affinity. There are 
no sexual jealousies there — these earthly conditions be- 
ing left behind — they live in perfect harmony, associ- 
ating with husband or wife, if they be there, with the 
same loving tendencies as in earth-life. Yet these affin- 
ities dwell together in their own spiritual homes. 

I conversed with a lady who had been in immortal 
life for upwards of 2,000 years, while her affinity or 
soul-mate still exists on this earth, I being acquainted 
with him. During our conversation I asked what might 
have been her condition prior to his advent. In reply 
she said, "There was a certain discontentment existing 
within me, the cause of which I did not know. I wan- 
dered aimlessly about in search of perfect tranquillity, 
until he was born, and at that, moment I came to him as 
two magnets would come together, and from that time 
I found peace." These were her words verbatim. 



AFFINITY. 145 

She further stated that when he came over there they 
would go on together forever and forever, accomplish- 
ing their work, and that she, being in the sixth sphere, 
would not proceed higher until she had helped him to her 
own spirit home. 

It is perfectly natural for them to assist the mortal 
with whom they must go through eternal life, to all the 
intelligence possible while on this side of life, that they 
may appear to the greatest possible advantage on the 
other side of the grave. It is one of the laws of nature 
to assist those who are nearest to you in progression, 
that they may aspire to some lofty end ; and as that same 
law makes these two souls inseparable, one being imper- 
fect without the other, the two finally making one whole, 
that assistance is for their own personal benefit, com- 
pleting the further existence of human souls. 

This solution of the union of souls problem was given 
me by several of my immortal friends, that the true laws 
of nature governing the future relations of these immor- 
tal souls may be more thoroughly understood, and the 
people of this earth need not grope in the dark. 

It may not be necessary to await the advent of immor- 
tal life in order to meet the affinity of souls, as this life 
may and does afford that pleasurable opportunity, but as 
earth-life affords a so limited privilege of mingling with 
the world at large, and the spiritual nature of man being 
so imperfectly developed, it would be difficult to fully 
realize that perfect magnetic attraction that exists in this 
perfect affinity without opportunity affording a personal 
contact of those two souls on this earth plane. 

When these two souls have met in unity, it is with no 
great difficulty that we may be able to observe that affin- 
ity, as there will then exist a unity of thought, a serenity 
of mind and an avoidance of perplexities of conscience. 



146 AFFINITY. 

These two souls existing in this life at the same period 
of time without this pleasurable opportunity of union, 
and the spiritual nature of man not being developed as 
in immortal life to recognize these magnetic attractions, 
must necessarily await the development of a future life. 

"What God hath joined together, let no man put 
asunder" is the quotation used by the Christian religion 
in proving to the poor, ignorant world that they should 
remain in wedlock, regardless of the murderous passions 
arising from an unhappy, ill-mated, unfortunate mar- 
riage. These principles are so thoroughly instilled 
through the teachings of the church that through the 
fear of excommunication from that church, thereby los- 
ing their souls, they will suffer the experience of mental 
and physical torture and connect themselves with the 
crime of populating the earth with lunatics and crim- 
inals. 

What nature has joined together no mortal or im- 
mortal can put asunder. That is nature, and so it must 
stay, as there is no desire to do otherwise. Should the 
churches desire to teach morality, I advise them to lay 
aside the Bible as a book of guidance in that direction, 
it being filled with immorality. 

There are eminent characters in this cherished book 
of reference, upheld as examples for the world to follow, 
who will outstrip by far in immorality those of the civ- 
ilized world of today. 

King David, with his many wives and concubines, a 
man whom the world fell at his feet to worship. 

King Solomon, with the many women attached to his 
household as wives and concubines, and his songs of 
passion. (Yet his wisdom we cannot but admire.) 

His son, King Rehoboam, following in his father's 
footsteps, and many of the following generations. 



AFFINITY. 147 

That the present generation could by a higher spir- 
itual development arise to the present standing, with 
all of that immorality which the guide of religion holds 
out for the young mind to accept, is to me a mystery. 
Then again I find a discrepancy. Laws have been ar- 
ranged in contradistinction to the laws laid down which 
reach the other extreme, by only granting one marriage 
to continue through mortal life, regardless of the unhap- 
piness and discontent to which it may give rise with the 
ultimate criminal results. 

Now, laying aside nature's laws, what are we to be- 
lieve? Man makes one law, and nature another. We 
must decide between the two, as there can be no go-be- 
tween ; man or nature must be wrong. 

The thinking mind will choose the latter, as with the 
store of knowledge of these natural laws, it is more 
capable of comprehending them. The mind with its 
enlightenment should act as preceptor for the seekers of 
truth. At this juncture science comes in with its natural 
laws and asserts itself. 

Because immorality is displayed by the characters of 
the Bible, it makes nature none the less true ; neither 
because many of these characters possessed a multiplicity 
of wives makes it right or necessary for the people of to- 
day to do likewise. Neither is it necessary, because the 
Bible was written many years ago, serving its purpose at 
that time, for us to fall down on our knees and worship 
it, or take it as a guide to live by. 

We may accept from it the bright thoughts and true 
sayings, and treat it as any other book, and no harm 
may come from it ; but to accept it as a whole, to fit us . 
for our future life, it is a failure. 

When we stop to consider the many doctrines and 
beliefs, sects and creeds, for which it lays the founda- 



148 AFFINITY. 

tions, it drowns all desire for inspiration or beauty of 
spiritual serenity. 

Should we throw aside all of these unqualified re- 
ligious mind instructors and teach the human mind the 
difference between right and wrong, as man to man, 
to protect the physical bodies and develop the minds, 
both morally and spiritually, with an aspiration for noble 
thoughts and deeds, we have then accomplished a pur- 
pose. We then have followed out nature's noble design, 
and averted superstition and bigotry, that are detrimental 
to the progressive world. 



HARMONY. 149 



CHAPTER XVII. 



HARMONY. 



For a perfect condition of mental development, and 
for the reception of spiritual influences, there must exist 
a condition of harmony — harmony of thought, harmony 
of mind, harmony of conscience, harmony in the daily 
walks of life, harmony with those who surround us, 
and harmony with the immortal world. With these con- 
ditions we may be at peace with all mankind ; with these 
conditions our homes are made happy ; with these condi- 
tions our conscience is clear, and with these conditions, 
life is a heaven and a paradise. It is not always that the 
human mind may be in this state of existence, as earthly 
conditions are such that conflicts of mind, of thought, of 
acts and deeds, and many things rasp upon the mind and 
jar the more sensitive and finer nature of human life. 

Should these not exist there would be no crime, there 
would be no diversity of opinion, and no adversities in 
life. It would be a state of perfect existence, a condition 
which the immortal world could not supersede. There 
would be nothing to prevent man's progression ; there 
would be nothing to interfere with the development of 
great minds ; there would be nothing to abbreviate the 
physical life of man ; and there would be nothing to pre- 



ISO HARMONY. 

vent a home in the higher realms of eternity — in fact, 
this world would be a world of perfection. But these 
things do not, neither can they, exist in earthly life. Life 
is too primitive, too young, too uncultured, too undevel- 
oped for such an existence. 

Time and experience must produce this result and in 
these few short years of man's existence in mortal life 
it cannot be accomplished. 

Physical interferences have their tendency to conflict 
with the harmony of life. Bodily ailments, aches and 
pains disturb the mind and interrupt the harmony exist- 
ing therein. Conflict with other mortals and diversity 
of opinions and thought tend to disturb the harmony of 
the human mind. Dogmas and skepticisms that fill the 
human brain are serious drawbacks to the harmony of 
souls. Fears and disasters have their irritating tend- 
ency. Selfishness and bigotry are perturbating elements 
to spiritual harmony. Jealousy creeps in and excites the 
mind to anger, and through this, unscrupulous minds are 
created. A desire for wealth creates an inclination to 
injure a fellow man, and poverty incites a longing for 
unlawful possessions. Vanity is a perturbing element in 
man, which breaks the harmony and irritates the soul. 
A desire to aspire beyond other mortals encroaches upon 
the rights and privileges of other men. Pride, reaching 
out beyond its prerogative, disturbs the harmony of hu- 
man souls. Love and passion play their active part in 
their roles of harmony's interference. 

All of these elements of harmony's interference the 
human mind must contend with in its progression and 
reception of spiritual influences. The mind must possess 
charity, forbearance, unselfishness, patience, earnestness, 
sincerity, and love to counteract these perturbating ele- 
ments of human nature, and when we are in possession 



HARMONY. 151 

of all of these spiritual attributes, we then will be in a con- 
dition to forbear with all the difficulties and trials to 
which mortal life is subjected. 

It is forbearance with each other that creates the 
harmony with men that leads them on to prosperity. It 
is forbearance that creates the harmony between husband 
and wife that makes the home a place of contentment 
and love. It is forbearance that creates harmony in 
whole families of brothers and sisters, fathers and moth- 
ers, that makes their homes a paradise, with no desire 
to wander therefrom, thereby avoiding evil influences. 
It is forbearance that creates the harmony with friends 
and associates that enhances pleasures. It is forbearance 
that creates harmony between teachers and pupils and 
promotes a rapid educational growth of the mind. It is 
forbearance that creates the harmony between employer 
and employee that may avert disturbances, and procure 
the greatest results from labor. It is forbearance that 
creates the harmony between man and man that right 
and justice may prevail and complications of litigation 
be- averted. It is forbearance and harmony that create 
union of thought, forbearance and harmony that create 
union of states. It is forbearance and harmony that 
keep nations at peace with each other. It is harmony 
that connects the worlds by nature's laws, as harmony is 
nature personified. It is harmony of thought in litera- 
ture that appeals to the heart of man. It is harmony that 
gives the rhythm to verse, and the muse that lulls the 
soul to peaceful rest. It is harmony that creates sweet 
melodies in music's tuneful sound that wafts the soul 
to lofty realms of blissful peace. 

It is harmony of the spirit, the soul of man, that in- 
spires his mind to lofty thoughts and a desire for all that 
is right and good. It is the harmony of spirits that gives 

11 



152 HARMONY. 

man inspiration for elevated thoughts and ideas. It is 
harmony of spirits that gives man inspiration to invent, 
devise and manufacture implements of utility. It is har- 
mony of spirits that inspires the mind to write those 
beautiful thoughts that the world may read, and improve 
thereby their intellectual faculties, and elevate their 
souls. It is the harmony of spirits that inspires the 
mind to create the thought in verse that soothes the soul. 
It is the harmony of spirits that inspires the mind to cre- 
ate that tuneful verse that appeals to the soul of man. 
It is the harmony of spirits that inspires the mind of man 
to assist, instruct, and elevate the ignorant and neglected 
mind to a higher life of progression. It is the harmony 
of spirits that inspires the mind to revolt against op- 
pression and serfdom, that they might rise to a level with 
the progressive world, and enjoy the privileges that na- 
ture has so kindly endowed them with. And, lastly, it 
is the harmony of spirits that has inspired man to the 
higher plane of creation, by which his influences are felt 
and realized over the entire civilized and intellectual 
world. It is by this harmony the immortal world is en- 
abled to return to man of earth and infuse in his brain 
the bright and lofty thoughts of his own intellectual na- 
ture of many years of practice and experience in the 
lofty realms, where nothing but goodness and purity of 
thought can emanate. 

It is not until this harmony can exist in man that the 
immortal world will ever be able to reach mortals and in- 
spire man with a knowledge that they possess and he is so 
greatly in need of. It therefore behooves him to prac- 
tice these principles, that he may be able to permit his 
immortal friends to take possession of his mind and 
assist in those thoughts that will be of the greatest pos- 
sible advantage to him. 



HARMONY. 153 

When man is so conditioned the immortal world can 
and will readily come to his assistance and help guide 
and direct in all that may be beneficial to weak and 
primitive souls in their struggling effort to progress. 
It therefore remains to prepare for the acceptance of 
this gratuitous knowledge. 



154 SPIRIT OR MIND. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



SPIRIT OR MIND — ORIGIN. 



So far as the origin of the physical body is concerned, 
the scientific world has a pretty clear and comprehen- 
sive idea, and in this brief work I will not take up that 
subject for discussion, but ask the reader to appeal to 
science for information. I only desire to dwell upon 
the physical body so far as its relation to the spirit or 
mind is concerned. It is the spirit in man of which 
the world desires to know the origin. In order to give 
a clear and comprehensive idea of the spirit nature 
I will take up only the present development of the 
spirit or mind for discussion. As nature has provided 
a male and female of both animal and vegetable life to 
produce its kind, it is from this we will proceed. 

All nature works upon the same principle, and through 
this process of nature both animal and vegetable life 
exist. All observers are aware that vegetable life must 
have its union to reproduce its kind, and thus we may 
see in the mulberry tree one of the male bearing no 
fruit ; the other, female, producing its own kind. These 
two trees have their natural union through the laws 
of nature, in which the female is impregnated through 
its ovum, or blossoms, and attracts the atoms of the 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 155 

life-giving principle of the atmosphere, reproducing life 
of that same nature. Every life of nature, either animal 
or vegetable, exists in pairs for the purpose of repro- 
duction. Should male and female of the animal king- 
dom be totally ostracized from each other, and there be 
no personal contact of the sexes, it would be an im- 
possibility for reproduction to take place ; but on the 
contrary, as affinity or the law of attraction draws to- 
gether those of the opposite sex, the existing passions 
with which nature has provided them act in unity, with 
the final result of impregnation. This last result ter- 
minates in the development of a physical body. At this 
stage of development, what takes place? In all nature 
at this period a separation from the maternal body is 
the result, and then comes the great secret of spirit life. 
The ovum of spirit life exists in the air we breathe. 
The active forces controlling and governing the uni- 
verse are composed of atoms or particles of a minute 
nature, but consisting of the force and energy of animate 
life, they being the life-producing principles of both ani- 
mal and vegetable life. Without these principles life 
of the animal or vegetable kingdom would or could not 
exist. It is this force that keeps in motion the air we 
breathe. It is this force through which the magnetism, 
is generated that holds all earthly bodies in apposition. 
Through this force the earth makes its revolutions. 
Through this force sounds reach the ears, and eyes re- 
ceive their vision ; and, lastly, it is this force which by 
its impregnation into the brain of the new-born infant 
produces the mind and soul of man. There is a diversity 
of opinion in the immortal world, so far as I have been 
able to ascertain, as to the origin of this force ; but it 
has existed for an indefinite period, doubtless from the 
beginning of time. 



156 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

Upon the appearance of the infant into the surround- 
ing atmosphere, through the laws of nature, there is a 
persistent and unexplainable desire for breath, and that 
breath is the breath of life, as at that moment this atom 
or spirit body in its primitive form is taken in with the 
atmosphere composing this breath, and at once spirit life 
springs into existence. The moment this breath takes 
place the infant is a spirit, as much as will ever be in 
all time to come, and at that moment the development 
of the spirit takes place in the cells of brain tissue. This 
is the spiritual or life-giving principle of the brain of 
man. Without the life-giving principle the infant would 
be none other than a lump of flesh ; neither would or could 
there exist in the flesh life, animation or thought. This 
is the principle of the mind of man ; for at that instant 
development of the spirit nature or mind of man begins 
and passes on and on through its progressive stages to 
eternity. The brain of the physical body is a house or 
habitat for the impregnation or development of that 
spirit life. 

The physical body being well nourished by sustenance 
provided by the laws of nature, assists in the develop- 
ment of the spirit nature or mind. I wish to impress 
more thoroughly upon the reader the importance of the 
recognition of the mind consisting of one and the same 
life-producing principle as the spirit of man. The mind, 
or spirit nature, by development of the physical body, 
takes on the form and likeness of its developer, the 
physical body. 

When the physical body has performed its functions, 
like all other animal and vegetable life in nature it goes 
into decay, and death ensues. At this moment the spirit 
separates from the physical body and passes on to the 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 157 

future life that nature has so kindly provided, continuing 
in its development and progression to eternity. 

Should life be cut off prematurely by accident, murder 
or self-destruction, the mind or spirit will pass to eternal 
life undeveloped, and not in keeping with the laws of 
nature, as they have so divined, and with greater diffi- 
culty will the mind be able to develop as it otherwise 
would under the care and protection of the physical 
body. Therefore it is the duty of man to live and pro- 
tect himself in accordance with the laws of nature, that 
the spirit which exists in him may progress to a high 
stage of enlightenment, and to gain all the knowledge 
that is in his power so to do, prior to the dissolution of 
the physical body. Life of the physical body, being of 
so brief a period, it is impossible for the mind to develop 
to a very high state of intelligence in so short an exist- 
ence ; therefore were it not for the assistance of intelli- 
gent minds that are existing in immortal life, who so 
willingly and earnestly assist and inspire it with their 
beautiful thoughts, the mind in earth-life would not pass 
on to a very high state of progression. 

The blessings of which we are possessed of a glorious 
liberty and free-thinking nation are a source from which 
the mind is receiving great benefits. There are on earth 
no other countries where progression is so rapid as our 
own, this glorious United States and allied republics, 
and the time will come and not so far distant when all 
nations of this world will be in keeping with this same 
trend of political thought. The spirit world today is 
striving and struggling with the world for our liberty — 
liberty of thought, free expression, liberty of religious 
views, liberty of the human mind or soul. Tyranny must 
be suppressed, for under it progression can be of no avail. 
The mind cannot pass to a high stage of spiritual de- 



158 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

velopment when suppression and tyranny predominate. 
The heads of tyrannical countries will give way, they 
will know not why, for the immortal world will infuse 
into them tender and gentle thoughts, a desire to see 
the human mind relieved of oppression that it may aspire 
to a more lofty aim. This time is rapidly approaching ; 
although we may not live to see the day, not many gen- 
erations will pass ere this glorious time will be at hand. 

The influence of the government of the United States 
is making its impression upon other countries. By its 
liberties it is fast becoming one of the greatest nations 
of the world, and in the minds of thinking people Amer- 
ica stands at the head. Why is it so? Simply because 
of free thought and liberty, the advantages which it 
gives over other countries for mental development and 
spiritual advancement ; and for this reason people of 
other countries are fast emigrating to our shores. Other 
countries are gasping for a breath of this human liberty 
and are asking to be accepted into the fold of this great 
republic, all of which is from the influences of the im- 
mortal world. 

The spirit, the Ego, or mind, is all there is of the 
intelligence of man, and all has proceeded from one 
single breath of atmosphere, through which was inhaled 
the single atom of life-giving principle of this great 
universe. Therefore we are a particle of this great 
universal force of nature. It is through this atom we 
are brought into action and play our part of nature's 
role and will continue this part on to eternity, only 
changing through time's progression. 

The spirit or mind within us is influenced to a greater 
or less extent by our physical bodies, further resulting 
from parental influences of past generations ; in other 
words, the parental influences are instilled into fcetal 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 159 

life, and when cast off from the maternal body, on re- 
ceiving the spark or atom of nature's forces, that embry- 
onic form or spirit of man in its primitive stage is sus- 
ceptible to physical influences, thus accounting for fam- 
ily characteristics. 

A similar condition takes place on the return of an 
immortal to this earth by the magnetic influences or per- 
sonal characteristics of a medium or sensitive, through 
which they are able to come. The characteristics of the 
sensitive do always to a more or less degree exert such 
influences over the immortal, and therefore it is only 
possible for the immortal to exert the perfect influences 
of his own nature, clearly and distinctly, by a personal 
and direct exercise through the brain of the mortal whom 
he desires to impress ; otherwise by infusing thoughts 
directly into the cellular tissue of the brain of the indi- 
vidual whom he desires to influence. These mental con- 
ditions may not then intermingle with other mortal in- 
fluences. For illustration, allowing our friends of the 
immortal world, with whose personal characteristics we 
are perfectly familiar, to come through a sensitive or 
medium of a selfish and jealous propensity with which 
we are acquainted, we will observe that they will par- 
take to a greater or less extent, owing to the length of 
period that they have existed in the immortal life, of 
these same jealousies or selfishness of the sensitive, oft- 
times to such an extent that the sitter will imagine it to 
be the sensitive exerting his own mind, causing him to 
become skeptical. This condition compares favorably 
with parental influences over the minds or spirits of men 
who have dwelt together in earth-life. 

To illustrate still further, an immortal returning to the 
mortal world, desiring for a purpose to utilize an astral 
of some unfortunate who has in earth-life existed as a 



160 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

drunkard, murderer or man of ill thought, may by this 
influence take on these same conditions and require a 
long time to extricate himself from these influences. 
The further this mind or spirit of man progresses the 
finer will become its nature, casting off all primitive or 
coarse conditions as it progresses. This is a condition 
that exists in the mortal and immortal life, and the fur- 
ther that mind progresses in the immortal world the 
more it casts off its coarser or less refined conditions, 
and as it advances to a higher sphere in the immortal 
world the finer it will become in intelligence. It requires 
a greater amount of intelligence to aspire to high and 
lofty realms. When one of that high condition of im- 
mortal life returns to earth and infuses his thoughts 
into the brain of man he may receive high and noble 
thoughts which the world will be able to realize. When 
we are able to comprehend that the mind, the Ego, the 
spirit of man, is all there is of life, that this old physical 
hulk is nothing but a shell for the mind to inhabit, then 
we will not allow ourselves to dwell so much upon this 
physical body. We will refrain from so deeply mourning 
the loss of the body of our friends when cast off in 
order to make their exit from this physical life of action, 
and to enter upon that other shore for a higher pro- 
gression. We will realize by our physical development 
that our friends are with us at intervals to help, guide 
and direct us in this mortal life, and to infuse into our 
minds bright and intelligent thoughts, of which they 
were kept in ignorance on account of many dogmatisms 
and superstitions while on this earth. 

I do not wish to have the reader labor under an im- 
pression that the immortals returning to this earth are 
influenced or guided by mortal conditions to a greater 
extent than the mortals, as minds of earth are influenced 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 161 

to a greater or less degree by those with whom they 
associate. 

There is no man of business talent or mind who does 
not desire when holding a conference with his fellow-man 
upon a subject of personal interest to exclude all other 
minds from that conference, as by so doing there will 
be no influence exerted over that mind, and he may be 
able to arrive at a more clear and thorough understand- 
ing of the conditions of that mind upon the subject 
under discussion. We are all aware that we are able to 
get a different view from all persons under like condi- 
tions. 

When we are able to recognize the fact that death of 
the physical body makes no change in the mind of man, 
except by mental growth and development, we may see 
more clearly and realize more fully the conditions of 
life existing in the immortal world. We may then be 
able to realize that the death of the physical body is 
simply a change of condition, and life goes on precisely 
as did it here in earth-life ; the only change taking place 
is the casting off the shell which the Ego, or spirit 
body, inhabits, and a natural higher development takes 
place. 

Should any physical defect exist in the brain of this 
new-born infant, either of a hereditary or congenital 
nature, that the structure of the brain should not be of 
a sufficient character or proper organization to receive 
or transmit thoughts of intelligent nature, the spirit ovum 
would be unable to develop or progress during the period 
of existence of this physical body. The mind would then 
remain in its primitive state, or a state of idiocy, so long 
as the physical body existed, after which it would un- 
dergo a course of treatment in a hospital or sanitarium 
for such conditions in the immortal world. 



i6s SPIRIT OR MIND. 

Minds which have formerly existed on this earth and 
have followed their profession in that line of science 
would in the immortal world supervise the treatment and 
education of this mind, until it was restored to a perfect 
state of consciousness and able to receive knowledge of 
a progressive character. 

Should a mind be defective and unable to develop 
through the lack of proper nourishment to the brain 
tissue, and never receive a sufficient vibratory force of 
brain structure to enable it to proceed to a state of 
development, this mind at the death of the physical 
body would be treated likewise. 

Should the spirit or mind of man suffer from over- 
exertion and its proper support be shattered in a way 
that it should pass into a state of insanity and never 
recover from this condition during the life of the phys- 
ical body, that same mind would pass into eternal life 
in the same state of insanity, and would of necessity ex- 
perience the same treatment under the hands of scientific 
men of the immortal world. 

Should a mortal through shock of the brain pass from 
mortal life before that mind should recover from the 
shock, that mind would pass into eternity in that same 
unconscious condition and go through a process of simi- 
lar treatment. 

Should a mind be paralyzed by intoxicants or drugs 
of whatever nature or form they may be, and never 
come to a state of realization or consciousness before the 
death of the physical body, that mind would pass into 
immortal life in that same unconscious condition, and 
would be accepted by his guides, and taken to a hospital 
or sanitarium and experience the treatment of scientific 
men until it was restored unto perfect consciousness. 

At the carboniferous period of this earth, when the 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 163 

soil was in a condition that the germs of vegetable life 
could take root and flourish, then the seed or germ of 
vegetation existing in the atmosphere impregnated the 
soil, and from that impregnation a spontaneous vegeta- 
ble growth issued, such as since has never occurred. 

Had it not been for this atom, this existing vegetable 
life, we would never have been blessed with the beauties 
of flowers and foliage that the earth so abundantly pro- 
duces. Neither would we be endowed with the many 
beds of coal that now exist in the earth for the fuel or 
heat-producing force that runs our great machinery and 
heats our dwellings. Nature in its great work has pro- 
duced all these for man's own blessing and comfort. 

On the other hand, had it not been for this germ, 
this spark of life, man would never have existed, and 
should it be exterminated from the atmosphere anima- 
tion would cease. Were it not for the spark of life- 
giving principle this atom, this germ of life, when the 
infant is born into the world, the impregnation of the 
brain of this infant with the spirit of life, the germ of 
human existence, would not take place ; therefore a new 
soul would not be born. Man's existence is not unlike 
the vegetable existence. All nature, in whatsoever form 
it may exist, is governed by the same laws. We may 
be asked in what form of life the infant exists before 
its departure from its mother's womb. The spirit of 
that mother produces that fcetal life. This same spirit 
gives it force and activity so long as it is connected by 
the same circulation as that of its generator, the mother ; 
but when it is expelled from that generator, or mother, 
it is lifeless. A change must of necessity take place. 
That change is a new impregnation of the germ of the 
life-giving principle of man, and by that impregnation 



164 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

another new soul is born to experience the life of many 
who have witnessed the same metamorphosis. 

The germ that produces the lily cannot produce the 
rose. The germ that produces the pine cannot produce 
the oak. Each has its own distinct feature, and yet all 
partake of vegetable life. The germ that produces the 
mind in one is far different from that which produces 
the mind in another. The soil which this seed impreg- 
nates may be capable of producing vegetable life of a 
different nature than may be produced by another soil, 
not unlike the principle of the human family. The germ 
that may be implanted into the brain of one child by 
that composition produces one mind. A germ that may 
be implanted into the brain of another produces a far 
different mind ; yet they are all of the same human fam- 
ily. 

On observation we discern that there are no two minds 
precisely alike. In the vegetable kingdom there are no 
two trees precisely alike. No two roses look alike, and 
yet to us the perfume may not differ. You will observe 
many times two minds which may run in the same 
channel, yet on close observation there is a slight differ- 
ence. We may explain this as being caused by education 
or early training. Certainly, that may be true ; but by 
giving them both the same opportunities they are very 
like each other, and yet there still exists a slight differ- 
ence, as in the physical body. There are no two faces 
that are exactly alike ; nature has so designed that they 
may be designated. The same is true of the vegetable 
kingdom. 

Two children may be born of the same mother, at the 
same period, each brain being impregnated with the 
germ of life. Those two infants resemble each other 
so closely that they may with difficulty be distinguished 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 165 

from each other, but as time goes on and the spirit or 
mind develops the features may change. The question 
then arises, Why is this change? It is the spirit within, 
it is the life principle, it is the germ of that life which 
may be of a different nature that produces this change. 

These two distinct germs of life are two distinct 
minds, and the mind, being a controlling influence over 
the physical body, produces a physical change. On the 
other hand, a particularly different composition of this 
brain tissue may culminate in the development of differ- 
ent principles of mind, and then these minds react on 
the physical body ; either may be the cause. 

Nature has not designed that each mind should be the 
same, as then there would not be the variety that now 
exists, and it is the variety of minds that make up the 
composition of this world of human existence. Each 
of these minds produces different thoughts, different 
thoughts produce different ideas, different ideas develop 
into different structures, either mechanical or literary ; 
one helps the other. Were it not so, we would be un- 
able to have the assistance we require in ideas for in- 
ventions or constructions of either mechanical or literary 
efforts. One mind desires to till the soil, another is an 
astronomical calculator. One may be a machinist, an- 
other may utilize that same machinery, each having his 
own separate and distinct mind and desire for his voca- 
tion in life. When we stop to think that all these minds 
are produced from atoms of forces in the universe by 
impregnation into a little lump of human flesh, it is 
marvelous in the extreme, as are most new thoughts. 

However, on close observation and study and insight 
into the great world of nature's laws, they cease to be 
marvelous. The same of the immortal world when the 
new light is opened to the mind of the ignorant, that 



166 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

there does exist a life of eminence and renown beyond 
this earthly plane. At first sight we marvel and think 
it an impossibility. It is too marvelous to comprehend 
and understand ; but upon acquainting ourselves with 
these facts and truths, and by studying the laws of nature 
by which they are governed and the principle of the law 
by which the human family may enjoy greater privi- 
leges, a higher intelligence than in this comparatively 
embryonic life, we cease to marvel at nature's great, 
glorious and perfect laws. 

Should man be born and brought up in the midst of 
a desert where he was unable to ever feast his eyes on 
the beauties of nature's foliage, and at once be brought 
in contact with this foliage unconscious of its existence, 
what would take place? His mind would not believe 
that which his eyes beheld. The marvel would be greater 
than the existence of a future life to the uneducated and 
ignorant man of earth. The mind is prone to wonder 
at new sights, new thoughts, new discoveries, of what- 
soever nature they may be, and it is only when it is 
brought to a realization of the truth of these discoveries 
that it will ever become reconciled to the existence of such 
discoveries. 

One might exclaim after so many like instances take 
place, Why cannot the human mind become reconciled 
to new discoveries? It marvels at each and every one, 
and will continue so at least until the end of time of 
earthly life. 

Should life be beautiful to the uneducated or embry- 
onic mind, what must it be to the educated or devel- 
oped mind ? We see beauties in our ignorance ; on re- 
ceiving a higher education we retrospect, and then ask 
ourselves how was it possible for us to enjoy those privi- 
leges in that ignorance. Nature has so provided that 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 167 

it is impossible for man to see beauty beyond which he 
is capable of enjoying. Were it not so, life would be 
miserable. 

We are only provided with knowledge that we are 
capable of grasping. As the mind progresses its capa- 
bilities increase, and new light is opened to us, and we 
go on and on in this development to eternity, there being 
no cessation from the time the spark of life is breathed 
into the new-born infant from everlasting to everlast- 
ing. 

The joy of man increases with intelligence. The bless- 
ings of life are intensified, the beauties of nature are 
increased, and the comforts are appreciated by the growth 
and development of the mind. Without this mind the 
earth would be chaos. Should we stop to think how 
many minds have been born into earth in this same way, 
have passed through their stage of usefulness, have 
struggled for sustenance to supply their physical bodies, 
at the same time have enjoyed the privileges that oppor- 
tunity has afforded, having invented new thoughts, new 
ideas and many improvements by which the rising gen- 
erations have been benefited, and then, by the decay and 
death of the physical body, have passed on to a future 
life, could we believe, could we think for one moment, that 
that was all there was left of human existence — that they 
had accomplished their work and had no further life in 
which to enjoy the reward of that which they had ac- 
complished ? Is there any intelligent mind existing on 
this earth today that could believe that? I most em- 
phatically say, "No." 

An undeveloped mind may stop thinking at any stage, 
as it has not the power of receiving knowledge, but the 
progressive mind, the mind that is always in search of 
wisdom, can realize that nature does not confine its work 

12 



168 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

to this one little earth, which is only a speck in the 
universe. 

The mind being the life, the spirit, the intelligence, the 
thought-producing principle— in fact, the Ego of man — 
there remains nothing else of interest but the appearance 
of his physical body. 

The appearance or beauty of the body is of such short 
duration that with the fading years this beauty is soon 
gone and nothing remains to enhance its charms but 
that which dwells within. 

The spirit of man has charms to the mortal world 
when all that is left to the mortal body is vanishing 
into forgetfulness. Should it be that this body was all 
that there was of life, how very few years of existence 
would he be recognized among the living attractions of 
this earth, and he, like a worn-out old vessel, would be 
left alone to decay upon the shore and pass into noth- 
ingness. The vital spark of life and energy exists 
within, as the mind of man still lives on, and though 
the hulk of life's ship goes to decay, the cargo is of an 
imperishable nature and may be brought to the other 
shore by a greatly transformed ship of transportation. 

Through the mind while existing on earth the body 
may be a recipient of many enjoyments and pleasures, 
although it may be only the receptacle or house in which 
the spirit dwells. In other words, it is through the physi- 
cal body that the mind receives these pleasures. 

A well-developed physical body is one of which the 
spirit is always proud, and it is with delight that it looks 
upon that body and cherishes it for its beauty and per- 
fection. It loves to array its body in fine raiment and 
display it before other minds to the greatest possible 
advantage and preserve its youthfulness to the longest 
possible period. As time advances the wrinkles of age 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 169 

deepen, and with tottering steps it wanders about, yet 
the spirit loves its body with the same cherished fond- 
ness of years of the past, and ofttimes meditates over 
youthful days when it was considered one of the delights 
of perfection to look upon, now faded and fast passing 
into decline, when it must soon give up its tenant and 
moulder with the dust, loved and cherished to that last 
day when they must part, never to reunite so long as 
time shall last. 

These are the regrets of the spirit to part with the 
mortal clay which have gone on together as the closest 
of partners, through years of mortal life, with all of the 
trials of pain and disease, and at last through the declin- 
ing years and final death. 

It is not long until the spirit becomes accustomed to 
the loss of its old friend and it takes up its duties on the 
other shore, which is the beginning of a new life. 

Thus the spirit has passed from its earliest conception 
through these many years in its mental development with 
the help of the physical body through all the stages of 
earth life to the close of its earthly existence and the 
final separation ; the body passing through decay to 
earth, and the spirit into eternal life as the mind of 
man, working its way through knowledge and progres- 
sion to the higher spheres of immortal life. 

Why do we cherish this lump of mortal clay? Why 
not let it pass into the history of forgetfulness ? Why 
think of it as all that remains of life of our friends 
who have gone before? It is our education that creates 
these regretful thoughts. When the mind looks upon 
its own physical body, that has for so many years' dwelt 
in peace and harmony and love of beauty in those days 
gone by, it is natural that 'it should love that body. The 
spirit has no desire to separate from its physical body. 



170 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

It is nature that compels this separation. It is natural 
for the spirit to cling to this mortal clay, as it is the 
habitat of so many pleasant enjoyments. 

In an undeveloped spiritual nature the physical body 
is that which is looked upon as the .figure for earthly 
display of all the pretty garments that the mind within 
can design, and the mind or spirit within takes pleasure 
in that display, as it is all there is to exhibit before the 
eyes of the mortal world. In consequence of all these 
thoughts, these pleasures, we cannot reflect upon this 
mortal's mind its regret to separate from this cherished 
physical body. 

I believe that it is not only the privilege but the duty 
of the human family to cling to this mortal clay, as one 
friend would cling to another, and keep, protect and 
prolong its life for all the good which the spirit has 
received frOm its existence, regardless of the importance 
of the spiritual development under its careful protection. 

We ofttimes hear people say the spirit is tired of the 
body. In a physiological condition of the mind this is 
untrue. It is a diseased condition of the controlling influ- 
ences of the mind that creates that desire, and should the 
mind be in a perfectly clear and healthy condition, it 
would have no desire to separate from its physical bene- 
factor, no more than man would have a desire to separate 
from his own mother who has born him unto earth and 
loved and cherished him with that maternal love with 
which nature has so endowed her. When there is a de- 
sire in the spirit mind to separate from the physical 
body, or create its death, there is always existing an 
unhealthy condition of the mind, or a spiritual influence 
from the mortal or immortal world of a degenerate char- 
acter, which is evidence of a lack of a high spiritual 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 171 

education or development in the mind of the perpetrator 
of that thought. 

There are immortals on the other shore who return 
to earth and endeavor to exert an influence on the minds 
of those who are existing in earth-life, to perpetrate 
crime of various nature, not unlike the influences that the 
minds of people of earth endeavor to exert over their 
fellow-men. These immortals while upon this earth are 
steeped in crime, and as they have been unable to see 
the folly of these crimes, and have never attempted to 
progress out of this mental condition, they still remain 
as on earth, criminals, and when the mind of man re- 
mains in darkness, with no desire to develop its spiritual 
condition, he is a subject which immortals of a like 
nature are able to influence and control in a like way- 
wardness. To illustrate, a man having been a drunkard 
all of his earthly life, his physical body dying, his spirit 
passing to the other shore, the same proclivities of earth- 
life remaining, this same mind desiring the stimulants 
which it has for so many years experienced, returns to 
earth. He looks about for a way by which he may receive 
this stimulant. He finds a man with whom he can be- 
come en rapport, that man being a drunkard, one of like 
condition. He at once begins to exert his influence over 
the mind of this mortal, urging him on to drink, to buy 
one more drink ; after which this immortal, this poor, 
forlorn immortal, may be able to absorb from his body 
the stimulant which he desires. 

This may be the way with the murderer who has 
passed to the other shore, his thirst for blood still re- 
maining with him. He returns to earth and fastens 
upon the mind of one who is on the same plane or is 
inclined to be at intervals. He exerts his influence over 
the mind of this mortal, creating in him a desire to either 



172 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

take the life of his fellow man or practice self-destruc- 
tion. Should the mind of man be more fully educated 
upon this subject, he would see the importance of devel- 
oping his spiritual nature and rising above this low con- 
dition, wherein these unhealthy influences might not be 
exerted upon him. I once more desire to impress upon 
the reader that the lower spheres in immortal life are not 
unlike the lower spheres in mortal life. Crime still ex- 
ists in the immortal's mind as it does in the mortal, and 
it is only by the higher spiritual development or educa- 
tion that we are able to avoid unhealthy influences, not 
only of earth but of the immortal world. 

When the mind has aspired to a high and lofty aim, 
this low, degraded and criminal mind cannot reach it, 
as it is not in its environments ; it cannot become en 
rapport with it ; it cannot get in its magnetism. There- 
fore it cannot exert its influence, and it is safe. If man 
would educate his mind to a high attainment the immor- 
tals of the higher spheres will come to him and assist 
him in all that is beautiful and glorious, in all arts and 
sciences, and promote elevated and lofty thoughts, while 
no immortals from the lower sphere of intelligence and 
immorality are able to reach him. 

Therefore I desire to impress upon the fathers and 
mothers of families to exert an elevating influence, to 
educate their children to purer thoughts, to inspire them 
with the beauties of life and a life to come, and to edu- 
cate and develop their spiritual nature, that they may 
not only be . a benefit and pleasure to humanity, but be 
provided with a crown of glory and renown on that 
other shore. 

There need be no fear in educating and developing 
the mind in its spiritual nature, as nothing but good can 
result from this education. It is the finer and better 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 173 

part of man that is being educated, from which no harm 
can ever arise. The mind of man may have an educa- 
tion which may fit him for business life, and that man 
may be a criminal, but should the mind partake of an 
education of a spiritual nature there cannot exist a crim- 
inal thought or intent. Not until a higher education 
can be accomplished will the mind of man be above 
crime of ever so trivial a nature. It is not until then 
that man will look upon man without distrust of wrong- 
doing. Dishonest acts will not be perpetrated. Man 
will not take advantage of his neighbor, but, unbiased 
and unselfish, look at him with the desire to do him 
justice, as man to man. This time is coining, it is sure 
to come, and then the enjoyments of earth-life will be 
very great. It will be a pleasure, a comparative para- 
dise, to dwell in this human existence. 

How often I think, while pondering over the laws and 
principles of prison punishment, how much better would 
it be, instead of these prisons of tyranny, should institu- 
tions of spiritual development be established to educate 
the minds of poor criminals, who, perhaps, not from 
their choice have committed crimes for which they are 
placed in bondage, but by the influences that have been 
exerted over them through the conditions of early life. 
These individuals may be kept in the confines of such 
institutions, not being given their liberty for fear of fur- 
ther perpetration of crime, but held under supervision, 
and the true teachings of immortal life be portrayed 
to them in the manner which is herein given. The eyes, 
then, of these poor mortals would be opened, their intel- 
ligence and sensitiveness would be cultivated. New 
thoughts of a higher nature would percolate the brain 
of these unfortunates, and they would aspire to higher 
ideas of nature's laws. When they could be taught to 



174 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

understand the principles and laws of nature, the cause 
and effect and results which follow the violation of such 
laws, that punishment was sure to follow crime through 
nature's laws ; as life is here so would it be on the other 
shore, and only by great exertion would they be able 
to progress out of that criminal condition of life ; that 
a life of criminality here would mean a life among 
the same class over there, which would be an existence 
among the wicked and criminal on that shore, then they 
would come to an understanding of their condition, and 
a state of progression must of necessity take place. On 
the contrary, should they be kept under the iron rod 
of tyranny, with no exhibition of tenderness and pity 
from those who are no further developed than the poor 
criminals, without a gleam of intelligence to penetrate 
their degenerate brain, what can we expect? The hope 
under these conditions for those poor unfortunates for 
a better life is beyond redemption. Instead of relieving 
them of that criminal intent, they are making far greater 
criminals of them, as all they see or hear inside of these 
Avails is crime, with an occasional lecture from a clergy- 
man upon a subject of which he himself knows abso- 
lutely nothing, and by which these criminals have no way 
of receiving light. 

Should in the confines of these walls be permitted a 
medium or sensitive to come, through which the immortal 
world could demonstrate to these poor unfortunates the 
reality of a life beyond the grave, of which they know 
absolutely nothing, the greatest metamorphosis of mind 
would take place that has ever been exhibited inside of 
those walls. I venture to say that' there would be very 
few, if any, after witnessing these demonstrations but 
could be termed reformed minds. 

The mind being the spirit or soul of man, and con- 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 175 

taining all the intelligence thereof, becoming the sole 
keeper, guide and director of the body, may by judicious 
exercise of intelligence — should no hereditary taint exist 
to abridge it — prolong the life of the body to a ripe old 
age, and by so doing develop itself to a high state of 
intelligence. 

The mind contrives, invents and lays out constructions 
of any and all mechanical ideas or devices and assists its 
body in consummating them. This same mind may 
accept assistance from either another mortal or immor- 
tal mind, that it may give greater advantages to its body 
in the skill of performing its work by the least physical 
exercise possible. 

As this body is to perform all of its physical work on 
this earth, its period of existence being of so short a 
duration, it must perform the greatest amount in the 
shortest space of time possible. Thus the mind must 
contrive or invent a way by which physical labor is to 
be performed by the least loss of physical energy. 

Should not the physical energy be preserved, the body 
would not remain to assist the further development of 
the mind, or it would lose its physical power of endur- 
ance and pass into a premature decline by over-exertion, 
and then would not retain sufficient force and energy 
to properly develop its mind. Thus you see by the 
preservation of both they assist each other in development 
and progression. As it requires physical exertion to 
carry out the mind's ideas on this earth, nature has pro- 
vided man with physical force and energy to consum- 
mate its work, and as the mind is provided with the 
physical body it is necessary for the inventions of physi- 
cal constructions for the accommodation of the physical 
body, although there are minds dwelling in the physical 
body that are performing labor almost purely of a men- 



176 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

tal character. It is necessary for minds to accommo- 
date bodies which have no mind of a sufficiently devel- 
oped nature capable of performing a sufficient mental 
exertion to accommodate their own body. 

Should minds be capable of appreciating the value of 
accommodation to each other, the world then would be 
in sympathy, therein destroying the selfishness of the 
mind of man. Therefore they would learn to bear with 
each other and share each other's burdens. 

A man of great mental ability is unable to perform all 
the labor required to consummate his new inventions. 
Should he undertake this task he will observe that both 
the mental and physical faculties will begin to fail. He 
therefore must call upon the one who possesses the 
greater physical faculties or power of endurance, who 
may possess the lesser mind, to accomplish the physical 
exertion necessary for the promotion of his invention. 
Thus you see that one is under obligations to the other 
for carrying out the designs of nature's laws. 

As the immortal mind comes to the assistance in the 
invention of ideas, it also comes to the assistance for the 
promotion of the most easy and rapid consummation of 
the invention. The mind of man will never fully com- 
prehend this immortal assistance until he has developed 
the higher and spiritual nature, that he may be able to 
see and realize its modus operandi, for without this 
development he will never realize and appreciate that 
assistance. The mind of man can never aspire to a per- 
fect state of realization, neither can it receive to a high 
degree immortal assistance, until the spiritual nature has 
been developed. 

A mind may be of an indolent or obtuse nature, in 
which there appears to be no possibility of a mental im- 
provement or reception of intelligence, but by the devel- 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 177 

opment of the spiritual nature admits the immortal world 
to take possession of the faculties, and in a very brief 
period a perceptible change will take place in the mental 
development. When I make this statement I know from 
personal knowledge of what I speak, and this develop- 
ment afforded me a happy experience which I shall re- 
member so long as time shall last. 

It is from this knowledge that I so earnestly dwell 
on the importance of the spiritual development of the 
mind, and I do most earnestly entreat of every human 
being to avail themselves of this great opportunity, of 
which many are ignorant, in order to receive the great 
and glorious benefits by which they may grow in knowl- 
edge and understanding and become an ornament to the 
world ; not only to this world, but a bright light and 
credit to the world beyond. 

The beauty of spiritual development of the mind of 
man is that every mind, high or low, rich or poor, may 
receive these benefits, as they may be procured without 
money or price through the earnestness and sincerity of 
the mind. Certainly there can be no results without 
effort. Should the mind be too indolent for such exer- 
tion it may receive nothing, but should that indolence be 
overcome, and they avail themselves of the opportunity 
which the immortal world is only too ready and willing 
to offer, they can accomplish their end. To me it seems 
quite preposterous that man should not avail himself of 
every opportunity for knowledge that is offered him, 
for he must understand if he has any intelligence within 
him that the development of the mind assists his pro- 
gression and elevates his standing socially, morally and 
intellectually, and as it appears to me the world is clam- 
oring for knowledge I cannot comprehend why any 
mind should fail to accept each and every opportunity 



178 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

where knowledge can be gained. We know that knowl- 
edge is the light of the world, and without it the beauties 
of this life cannot be appreciated. Neither can there 
be depth to the love of man without intelligence, as is 
illustrated in the brute of creation. Love only goes with 
passion. When the passion ceases, love ceases. This is 
the lower plane of humanity, where man is on a level with 
the brute of creation. 

The cow may love her calf from the sensation which 
she receives from its nursing. When it ceases to nurse 
she loves it no longer. Parents love their children only 
so long as they give them pleasure, and vice versa. Men 
and women join in wedlock only for their passions, and 
live in a state of turmoil and degradation during their 
natural lives. Thus it is with humanity of the lower or 
animal plane of creation. 

On the other hand, the more intellectual minds, devel- 
oped spiritually, love each other for the beauties they 
see in each other, for their spiritual nature or life, and 
the spiritual love is a love which lasts, a love which 
will not cease with the cessation of passion, but deepens 
into affection, and that affection lasts for all time to 
come. They can see beauty in everything. The lovely 
fragrance of the rose can be comprehended, the finer 
arts studied and appreciated, literature absorbed and 
accepted, all things in nature admired. They hear music 
in the warble of the birds, they have refinement in 
tastes ; in fact, everything to the spiritually developed 
minds is beautiful. In their homes everything is artistic- 
ally arranged with all the comforts that their financial 
means will permit, and there is a full enjoyment of a 
pleasant home. 

On the contrary, those minds that have not developed 
this nature may possess all the wealth they desire, yet 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 179 

they see no beauty in the flowers, no sweetness in the 
music of the birds. Their dwellings look gloomy and 
sad within, constant discord and contention existing in 
their nature, making a discontented, unhappy home. They 
desire to wander into places of degradation with those 
of their kind. An affinity in this case steps in and at- 
tracts, and thus they wander with no bright prospects. 
Life with them is a waste and they pass from earth 
with no hope for a future life and, so far as this earth 
is concerned, are forgotten. 

Minds not spiritually developed not only do not have 
love for each other, but there exists a lack of sympathy. 
No misfortune will arouse their pity, no accident to the 
physical body will create a feeling of regret, no difficulty 
excite a desire to assist, but they live within themselves 
a life of selfishness. They cling to that which they were 
taught in youth, having no desire to progress. They fill 
their stomachs with intoxicants because they stimulate 
to further recklessness and unconsciousness of their sur- 
roundings. With a disregard for their future support 
and comfort thev bear large families. They perform 
labor only to satisfy their appetite ; they are unclean 
because it is an effort to bathe ; their clothes are filthy 
and scanty because they spend their money for intoxi- 
cants. They care not for their families because there 
is no love within them, as the latter cannot exist Avith- 
out a spiritual nature. This is the picture of the mind 
without development. 

These are the people that the intelligent world should 
make an effort to assist and elevate, that their eyes may 
be opened and they may see their state of ignorance and 
degradation. These are the minds that create distrust 
and lack of confidence in humanity. These are the minds 
that make our houses unsafe without lock and key„ 



i8b SPIRIT OR MIND. 

These are the minds that make it unsafe for us in the 
darkness of the night. These are the minds that fill 
our prisons and keep our gallows free from rust. These 
are the minds that endanger the morals of the young; 
and lastly, these are the minds that fill the first sphere 
of the immortal world. 

The mind makes the conditions of man of earth as 
does it in the immortal world. As we think, so are 
our conditions. No two minds are able to witness the 
same event and illustrate by word the exact procedure 
of that event. One mind may cause its body to perform 
one act, while under the same conditions another will per- 
form an entirely different act. One mind may consider 
itself persecuted, while another may consider the same 
circumstances a passing joke. A mind may consider 
that it is meeting with adversities, while again, with a 
changed condition, under the same circumstances, it can 
see nothing but prosperity. These changes may take 
place in less than a half-hour. 

One mind acting upon another may produce a feeling 
of sadness and gloom, while another mind acting upon 
that same mind may produce a feeling of jollity and 
happiness. It is the condition in which it is seen. 

One mind by dwelling alone may think the whole 
world is against it, but after association with many minds 
it returns to its own home perfectly happy and content, 
with a feeling that the whole world is its friend. 

A mind may work itself into an unnecessary rage 
or anger, so that an immortal may be unable to see it 
from the darkness and gloom that are cast about it. 
The same condition may take place with its mortal friend 
in the feeling of that friend's mind, the only difference 
being that the mortal eye is able to see. 

The mind of man may be perfectly at rest and happy, 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 181 

but upon contact with an enraged mind all of that peace 
and happiness is destroyed. These are all conditions of 
the mind and the influences thereof. Upon a mind be- 
coming angry and wrought up to an intense rage, it 
exerts an influence upon its own body, throwing off 
emanations of a poisonous nature which to the immortal 
eye are dark as darkest night, and in this condition no 
immortal may be able to see or assist this mortal in 
whatsoever nature he may desire, and this condition may 
become so intensified with rage that the immortal is un- 
able to hear what may be said. This same influence has 
its effect upon the mortal, the difference being in hearing 
and sight. The immortal, being in a similar condition, 
throws the darkness about him, shutting himself off from 
all immortal vision, and closes himself up as in a closet, 
obscuring himself from view. 

A mortal may exist in a condition that he may imag- 
ine himself experiencing a great illness, it only being a 
condition of the mind, the physical body being abso- 
lutely sound. These experiences have I met with from 
time to time, and it is with great difficulty that the mind 
can be influenced to believe that the illness is only imag- 
inary. I was once called to see a young lady who by 
herself and family was considered to be suffering from 
some unknown illness, as all physicians who had been 
called had been unable to diagnose any physical disease. 
She had suffered this condition for over six months. 
I, recognizing her mental condition, treated her accord- 
ingly, and in less than three weeks I had her sound in 
body and mind, it being purely a mental condition. 
This case is one of which all mental healers are able 
to produce perfect results, and one of which they take 
great pride in citing as proof of their superior knowledge 
and power. 



182 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

The mind cannot cure the physical disease, but it may 
play its part by stimulating to a more rapid recovery. 
These are some of the conditions of the mind over the 
physical body. The mind and the body may both be in 
a healthy condition, and by experiencing the sights of a 
sad calamity — the mind being extremely sensitive — the 
body may at once take sick and produce what is termed 
a physical illness, while the facts remain to be shown 
clearly it was only a condition of the mind. That con- 
dition being removed, it is restored to perfect health. 

Then again, by extreme mental anxiety for a long 
period of time, the condition may produce a physical ill- 
ness. Only by removing the cause, and with proper 
treatment, can health be restored. This anxiety creates 
a chemical change in the physical structure of the body, 
producing a poison, and that poison, reacting on the 
tissues of the body, produces the disease, illustrating fur- 
ther the effects of the conditions of the mind. 

Do we ever stop to think that it is the mind that 
gives us thought upon all that appears before our vision, 
which has or has not existed, appearing as plainly before 
us as though it really existed at this present time ? 

Can we realize that it is the mind that has photo- 
graphed all of the past events upon its own mental 
structure, that they may be pictured in our vision at a 
moment's notice when called upon so to do? This mind, 
this structure of mental intelligence, is to us one of the 
most wonderful pieces of mechanism that nature through 
its forces could possibly have invented ; a history of 
events without a book or cover ; an encyclopedia of 
knowledge and information without the working of a 
printing press ; transported wherever we go inside of our 
cranial walls, ready for use at a moment's notice. This 
is nature's contrivance and workmanship. 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 183 

The mind to man is not unlike a locomotive to a 
train. It is the power, the force, the energy, by which 
all pertaining to man receives its action. The train 
would remain on the track until it in time would be 
destroyed by rust were it not for the locomotive, the 
power, the force that propels it. The mind is the pro- 
pelling force of all moving substances within the grasp 
of man. It is of nature, and nature has given it control 
over all of which its power can influence. 

The mind of man stands at the head of the animal 
kingdom. The mind controls all lesser minds and the 
brute of creation stands in awe of the human mind. 
It feels its power and realizes its supremacy and it is 
compelled to subject itself to its influence. When man 
attempts to override the laws of nature by the power he 
contains evil results follow. He is a free moral agent, 
and by the law of nature is supposed to be capable of 
governing himself. When he attempts to violate these 
laws his own intelligent conscience reminds him of it. 
To override this conscience he must of necessity suffer 
the penalty. Kings have attempted to violate their power 
and by so violating the laws of nature the results fol- 
low — loss of kingdom, or premature death of the physi- 
cal body. History explains all this. 

From the effects of the extravagant mind the physical 
body must suffer, and a feeling of remorse must remain 
with that mind. When nature first produced this germ 
of life-giving principle of the human mind it was de- 
signed for some purpose, some office to fill in nature's 
law, remaining and awaiting as a living force of the 
universe for the development of the physical body, by 
which it might impregnate that brain, thereby develop- 
ing into a useful assistant of nature's great laws. Man 
has his office, his position, to fill to assist in carrying 

13 



i«4 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

out and directing that of which his mental ability is 
capable of governing and managing to the end of his 
earthly existence. He further takes up his life in the 
immortal world with its duties, therein following these 
laws more closely as they are prescribed by nature, and 
exerts his mental energy in the way that the greatest 
amount of good may result therefrom, as rapidly as his 
mind is able to act in keeping with its progression, and 
this is to be continued to eternity or the end of time 
with increasing force by the laws of nature it receives. 
This is an outline of the existence, life, energy and use- 
fulness of the mind of man. 

From the beginning of its existence it has its various 
stages of acting, its various conditions of life, its exits 
and its entrances, playing the parts of many acts and 
roles in the various phases of life, performing all the 
parts pertaining to life, following and directing, guiding 
and being guided, seeking and being sought, controlling 
and being controlled, forgiving and being forgiven, ar- 
raigning and being arraigned, teaching and being taught, 
asking and giving charity, all of these roles must it fill 
from its earliest existence to the end of eternal life. 

On leaving this earth-life the mind goes on to perform 
its functions as did it while existing in earth-life, there 
being no physical condition in the immortal world. That 
life is of mind, and mind only. The immortal existence 
is in the sphere or condition where he himself prepares 
his home. It is through his own mental condition of 
conscience that he prepares this temporary home, for 
as he progresses to a higher and more lofty intelligence 
and casts off the conditions accompanying immortal life 
he is better prepared to dwell in a home of purer minds. 
It is by his progression and with casting off his earthly 
condition that he permits himself to be received by his 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 185 

friends in that higher sphere or condition ; and as he 
advances, his capabilities are greater, and he may then 
encircle himself with more beautiful surroundings which 
are in keeping with his refined and more spiritual nature. 

Through the exercise of his mind his home or castle 
is built. It is through the exercise of his mind that 
he is surrounded with scenery and flowers. It is through 
the exercise of his mind that he hears the twitter of the 
birds, and life is made beautiful. It is through the exer- 
cise of his mind that he travels from place to place and 
experiences sights and all the changes of life that in 
earth-life he could never appreciate. It is through the 
exercise of his mind that he sees all the wrongs that he 
has committed and the good he has done and is brought 
to a sense of understanding the realities of life and of 
nature's laws. It is through his mind that he clothes 
himself with raiment befitting his position in the sphere 
or condition in which he lives. It is through the exer- 
cise of this mind that he looks up history of many 
years of the past which enables him to realize the pro- 
gression of man and the importance of that progression. 
It is through the mind that he arranges his home in 
either country or city, as they both exist in the immortal 
as in the mortal life. 

Should minds while on earth have taste for dress, they 
will have that same taste in the immortal world and 
will by the exertion of their minds array themselves in 
beautiful garments. There are ladies whom I knew 
while on earth who possessed great taste for beautiful 
gowns and jewelry. Their wardrobe was always com- 
plete, and now, when returning to earth in a material- 
ized form, they display the same taste, always appearing 
beautifully gowned. 

It is by their power of will that they are able to 



186 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

materialize these beautiful gowns and exquisite jewelry. 
I have known my guardian angel to materialize eleven 
different costumes in one evening, one following the 
other in quick succession, not to exceed thirty seconds 
apart, and all complete in every detail, each being a per- 
fect fit. This was all done by the power of will. 

On visiting the Field Museum in Jackson Park, Chi- 
cago, one day I saw a very pretty Egyptian necklace of 
a peculiar style, and my guardian angel (who was on 
earth an Egyptian lady) being with me, I drew her 
attention to it and asked her if she would duplicate it 
on materializing at her first opportunity. The first time 
she came she had it on and asked me if I remembered 
where I had ever seen it. I at once recalled it and took 
it in my hands — she having it on her neck — and found 
it to be a fac-simile of the one I had seen in the museum. 
She had remembered the circumstance, and to please me 
had by her will power reproduced this necklace. An im- 
mortal may materialize any garment or article that they 
are able to appreciate or fully realize. Should they 
not have the power of taste or appreciation and not have 
the mind to understand an article or thing, they would 
not have the power or will to materialize it. Thus you 
see it is the development of the mind, or knowledge, 
that is required in order to produce what they may 
desire. 

All subjects in which the mind is interested in the 
mortal life it will be interested in in the immortal life. 
Topics that have pleased the mortal and have satisfied 
the heart's desire will be taken up and carried to com- 
pletion in immortal life. It is the power of will, the 
desire to proceed with that which has and will give 
them the greatest pleasure. It is not a necessity in the 
immortal life for the mind to dwell upon things that 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 187 

are derogatory or unpleasant for that mind. Should it 
be that the mind should be compelled to spend its energy 
and force upon things that were not in keeping with its 
pleasure and satisfaction, it would prove detrimental 
to that mind's progression. The same condition exists 
in earth-life. Were we compelled to dwell upon and 
labor with those things which are not in keeping with 
our pleasures and desires of mental exertion, it grieves 
and stunts the mind and creates a retarding element in 
our progression, ofttimes creating degeneracy. It is a 
discouraging element to progression. This condition is 
not necessary in the immortal world. Should we be 
obliged in earth-life to follow a vocation that is not in 
keeping with our nature, producing unpleasantness of 
mind, eventually creating premature decay of the physi- 
cal body through the annoyances of the mind, on enter- 
ing the immortal sphere these compulsory duties are laid 
aside, and we may then take up those duties of life 
which are more pleasing to our innate nature. 

The mind must be at rest, it must be at ease, in what- 
soever may be done in mortal or immortal life for that 
natural assistance to progression. Should a perturbating 
element exist in a home the mind would never be at 
rest while in that home and that home will be a retard- 
ing element in progression. On observation we may dis- 
cern these facts, that in homes where this perturbating 
element exists the entire family may be thwarted in mind. 
No happiness exists and the minds remain in ignorance 
and superstition. No spiritual development exists there- 
in, as the atmosphere must be at peace for spiritual de- 
velopment, and instead of cultivating restless hatred 
and an annoying disposition, that home had far better 
be broken up and each and every poor soul within that 
household seek his rest and comfort elsewhere for the 



188 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

betterment of humanity, for should that condition still 
exist, there is not one mind within those walls which 
will have the power or will to give comfort and solace 
to any poor soul with whom they may unfortunately 
come in contact. . 

Affinity or harmony of souls is an element of nature's 
progression. Where harmony exists, and the mind is 
occupied with that which brings joy and pleasure in 
earth-life, is the beginning of the work of the life to 
come. That mind will go on and on in the immortal 
world performing the same work with the same har- 
many in its progression, and will return to earth and 
assist mortals who are struggling with the work which 
they have taken up for their benefit and consummation. 

I knew a man in earth-life who followed the practice 
of legerdemain as a vocation, whereby he might pro- 
vide the necessities and luxuries of life for himself 
and family. On passing to immortal life he kept up 
the same vocation for the enjoyment and pleasure of 
those minds in that life. I had the pleasure of seeing 
him return to earth and materialize, in which he per- 
formed some of the same feats of his early life, one of 
which I shall make mention, in which firebrands 
issued from the end of the wand which he held in his 
hand. This man in earth-life was a natural psychic 
and understood the nature and condition of the immortal 
world, or the laws that govern and control that world, 
nearly as well as the laws that govern the mortal world 
in which he had existed. I saw him take great pleas- 
ure in annoying or frightening a little Indian girl of 
the immortal world. She stated that she did not care 
for him, as she thought he was a devil for being able 
to make the fire fly out of a stick. It was quite amusing 
to me, as it illustrated the natural propensities of the 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 189 

mortal world and was quite conclusive to my mind of 
a similar condition existing in the immortal world that 
exists in earth-life. This act could in the immortal 
world be performed by the power of mind or will force 
that must of necessity in earth-life be performed by 
mechanical devices. This same man once said while on 
earth that he could perform nearly the same marvelous 
acts, as the world puts it, as of the immortal world, and 
I have witnessed him perform acts of a very like nature. 

Now, should he not have been able to have performed 
these acts while in earth-life, he doubtless could not 
have performed them in the immortal world ; therefore I 
desire to show or illustrate to the reader the possibilities 
of performing the same feat or act in the immortal 
world by the mind's will as our tastes or habits are 
educated in the mortal life. This has been so thoroughly 
demonstrated to my mind by the return of the immortal 
and the performance of those same feats or acts that I 
feel it safe to assert these possibilities. 

Should we in our mind create a determination to unfold 
the laws of the immortal world to our view and under- 
standing, it lies in our power of force and energy to 
accomplish our purpose. But on the contrary, should 
man feel content with himself and his surroundings on 
earth, with no desire to investigate the sciences not only 
of his life but the life to come, he may never be able 
to know or understand the workings of nature's laws 
of either. It is the determination of mind that performs 
our acts. It is by determination that we receive our 
knowledge. It is from lack of determination that we 
remain in ignorance. Now, it remains with us to deter- 
mine what we shall do ; whether we shall be content with 
the little that our forefathers knew, remaining in igno- 
rance and selfishness, with no desire for any further 



190 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

development of the mind, or start out with a determina- 
tion to accomplish a purpose which the mind has the 
power to do. We may see a barrier before us as though 
it were a high wall over which we by no possibility 
could climb, but on asserting the action of the mind 
the way is opened and we can proceed ; and should we 
not falter, but press onward with determination, we 
can accomplish whatever we desire in nature's laws. 

The whole structure of the mortal and immortal world 
is nothing more or less than natural philosophy, and it 
is only through ignorance that we may feel that there 
are things that we should not know. It is our early 
training that creates that thought, and the sooner we 
break away from that sluggish, superstitious idea, the 
sooner will our eyes be opened to the light of a new life, 
and we may go on and on in our development without 
limit, so long as time shall last, for as we finish here 
in this earth-life, so will we begin in the life to come. 
There is no hold-up or cessation of the mind. It is as 
expansive as the universe, it is as brilliant as the rays of 
the sun, it is as lasting as eternity, and naught can 
retard it. 

I often stop and think how little the world knows 
what is inclosed within its cranial walls, and how sur- 
prised it is when new light is let in. How frequently 
we hear it said, "I never should have thought that," 
and it meets this surprise with great pleasure. Then 
in this condition of the mind should some more beautiful 
mind exercise its influence, great results would follow. 
But if they are not developed the great minds of the 
immortal world may not be able to reach them with suffi- 
cient force to overcome their selfishness and bigotry, and 
then they vanish. The mind becomes obliterated to all 
of these facts and truths of nature's laws, and can only 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 191 

recall that instance where it was overjoyed with that 
which it saw, no further light having penetrated that 
ignorance, darkness and doubt. 

I wish it were possible to impress upon the minds of 
the people of earth the great possibilities that await the 
human existence, should they be free to give vent to a 
natural inclination of their mind. It is not natural for 
the mind to remain in ignorance. It is their own selfish 
desire that holds them thus. It is natural for them to 
be awakened by higher minds. The immortal world is 
longing for the opportunity to disclose new thoughts, 
new ideas, to broaden their minds and break the shackles 
of ignorance, superstition and selfishness. Ignorance, 
superstition and selfishness are shackles that have bound 
many a bright mind, many a promising mind, to darkness 
and doubt. Should these minds have been taken away 
from their parents in early youth and educated under the 
supervision of intellectual and broad-minded preceptors, 
they would have become bright lights of the world of 
which nature would have been proud ; but now their 
lives are wasted to the mortal world, where intelligence 
is essential to the assistance of the lower or animal plane 
of creation. 

I wish it were possible for me to express myself so . 
as to start the public mind to thinking, thereby inciting 
them to a state of realization of the necessity of advanc- 
ing their minds and broadening them, not only for this 
life, but the life to come. How many people are there 
of this earth who, should they understand the natural 
laws of the immortal world, would be willing to pass 
from this earth in their ignorance and be obliged to 
experience the humiliation of an uneducated mind in 
that life beyond the grave? I venture to say that there 



192 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

is not one who entertains a scintilla of intelligence would 
be willing to accept that proposition. 

Had I not arrived at the stage of understanding of 
the laws governing these two worlds, and the bright 
prospects of that future life, I would not today be spend- 
ing my force and energy in endeavoring to impress upon 
the minds of this world the importance of a higher and 
more lofty education. I would not be endeavoring to 
awaken the mind of man to these truths, as, should they 
not exist, it would avail them nothing. I would not 
today be laboring with humanity were it not for the 
purpose of enlightening their minds, creating pleasant 
homes, quickening their minds to the beauties of their 
surroundings and enjoying the loveliness of nature, and 
assuring them of brighter prospects in the immortal life, 
or that life to come. 

It would be idle to dwell upon those thoughts were 
they not true, and had I not investigated and studied 
those laws I would be unable to give them to the world, 
so that they might enjoy the same privileges that I 
myself enjoy. 

It is not I alone who know these things, but many, 
many others, some of whom are laboring in the same 
cause. Others do not possess the faculty of imparting 
the knowledge which they contain, but possess the wil- 
lingness of heart and mind to advance the intelligence 
of the world. Should I by this work influence one mind 
to this intelligence, and so prepare and assist one other 
for the future life, I have accomplished a purpose with 
which I shall be content. I having made an effort to 
accomplish a purpose by which humanity may be bene- 
fited, thereby will assist myself in my progression on 
entering the immortal world. The ignorant mind may 
call me a fool. For this assertion I shall not chastise 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 193 

that mind, but pity it for its ignorance. I have pity 
for those in ignorance who have not been permitted to 
improve their minds, and let them say what they may, I 
shall endeavor to assist them, as they are not aware of 
what it means. The gratitude that I have received from 
those who have passed to immortal life for the informa- 
tion which I have given them while in earth-life will 
more than compensate me for all the harsh things, all the 
impure thoughts, that this world may send me for my 
expression of mind. 

A mind that limits its expression for fear of censure is 
either undeveloped or the brain structure from which it 
receives its forces is diseased. An undeveloped mind 
very often is caused by parental restriction, in which it is 
limited in thought, not allowing the expansion that na- 
ture has designed. It is liberty and freedom that the 
mind desires for perfect and natural development, and 
that is why in a free government or republic, where there 
is freedom of thought and expression among the masses, 
the mind becomes more perfectly developed. 

It is a recognized fact that the populace existing under 
this form of government arises to a higher state of intelli- 
gence, and not until all nations exist under a similar 
government will the world receive a like state of devel- 
opment. 

When a mind rejects a thought without any philosoph- 
ical reason or investigation of its truth, that mind is un- 
developed. When a mind rejects a subject and is unable 
to supplant it by reason or facts, then it is undeveloped. 
When a mind rejects a truth with no attempt for philo- 
sophical reasoning, it is undeveloped. When a mind is 
prone to unphilosophical statements which it accepts as 
facts, with no attempt to investigate their merits, it is 
proof of its non-development. When a mind accepts a 



194 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

subject as a truth of which there is no positive proof, it 
requires no further evidence of its non-development. 
When a mind accepts dogmas with no positive proof of 
their existence, it is undeveloped and extremely ignorant. 
When the mind arrives at a stage where it is able to 
philosophize on subjects under consideration, it then dis- 
plays its development and a condition for rapid progres- 
sion. This last is a mind that we should seek for infor- 
mation and conversation, for with such we may improve 
our mental condition and assist our progression. 

Time given up to idle thought and conversation not 
only thwarts the mind, but retards progression. Indul- 
gence in a little nonsense at intervals has its tendency to 
divert the mind and afford a rest, but to dwell upon 
nonsensical thoughts continuously retards the mind, cre- 
ating a desire to accept unwholesome and unreliable state- 
ments. By explaining ideas and broadening the field of 
useful knowledge, this latter condition may be averted, 
creating therein a desire for higher aspirations. 

By following the laws of philosophy, or nature's laws, 
man provides himself with a safeguard by which he may 
be able to avoid errors in his trend of thought and con- 
versation, and by so doing may avert unhealthy and un- 
natural influences. I do not intend by these statements 
to have the reader understand that he should not con- 
verse with the ignorant world, but, on the contrary, he 
should make an effort to throw light on all subjects in 
which the world is deficient, and apply knowledge in a 
useful way that may assist in developing the minds of the 
ignorant world and promoting their welfare. 

The spirit, or mind of man, is the personification of ac- 
tivity. It watches, guards and protects not only its own 
body, but all other material things from harm, and su- 
pervises their movements. All animate life may and does 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 195 

feel its influences. All domestic animals are subjects of 
the mind's control and submit to the mind's influence by 
word or will. Their own physical bodies are guided in the 
way of right and wrong by its influences. They are also 
protected from atmospheric changes and kept from ex- 
posures to dangers by this same influence. On the other 
hand, they may be led to their own destruction by their 
own or some other unhealthy mind. By the development 
of the mind, it is possible to divert the influences that 
are exerted over other minds, thereby sustaining its own 
mental poise. We may experience mental influences over 
our minds that may prove detrimental to us both physic- 
ally and spiritually. When I say spiritually, I mean the 
spiritual education of our minds, as the mind is the spirit 
and the soul of man. 

I have frequently heard a quotation from the Bible 
used for a subject from which a lecture or sermon, as it 
is sometimes called, is given for the supposed betterment 
of the human mind, of which I have been unable to ever 
determine its meaning, and will be obliged now to leave 
it to the reader to make his own solution. I will herein 
insert this quotation : "For what is man profited, if he 
shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? or what 
shall a man gain in exchange for his soul?" — Matt, 
xvi., 26. 

Now as the soul of man is his mind or spirit, that 
mind must of necessity be the man, the physical body only 
being the shell or hulk which the mind or soul inhabits. 
I therefore have been unable to comprehend or ascertain 
from any scientific works or minds what the author of 
this quotation could have possibly meant in this interroga- 
tion. The mind cannot sell its soul, as there is nothing in 
the soul from which others might receive a benefit, should 
it be possible for them to so purchase it. If it were possible 



196 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

to gain the whole world, man could not lose his own soul, 
as that soul is himself. It is his mind, the Ego, or all 
there is of man. If man were to sell his soul or mind, 
there would be nothing left to receive the compensation, 
therefore the purchase could not be consummated. 

In science all things are considered facts or frauds, 
there are no go-betweens, and as this interrogation can- 
not result in a truth, we must of necessity accept it as a 
preposterous idea instituted for the purpose of deluding 
the human mind, and leading the mind to believe that the 
soul of man is a separate and distinct part or portion 
from the man or mind. 

I utilize this quotation for no other purpose than to 
prove to the populace the importance of comprehending 
the correctness of this philosophical law, that the spirit, 
the soul and the mind are one and the same thing. When 
we speak of the spiritual development, we speak of the 
development of the better nature of the mind, as the 
mind may be subjected to an education or influence of a 
highly different character, and this character or education 
is what places it upon the plane that it may occupy in 
earth-life, or the sphere in the immortal world. 

The time has gone by for man to believe that there is an 
existing place called hell, where the mind or soul of man 
is to undergo a constant consumption eternally by fire 
produced from the combustion of brimstone, as has been 
taught in the days of the past ; or any controlling influ- 
ences that may compel that mind to exist in a condition 
by which it may not be able to understand its condition 
and by an effort on its own part may not progress to a 
higher life in the immortal world. 

It is a debt of gratitude that we owe to those lofty 
minds, those progressive and scientific minds, that they 
with their bright thoughts have lifted us out of this dark- 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 197 

ness and ignorance and have elevated our minds above 
the lower plane, where it is not necessary to exercise cru- 
elty and punishment to prevent us from committing crime. 
Neither is it necessary to infuse in those minds the idea 
of an existing cruel God, who, for our wrongs and errors, 
by His supreme will may place us in perdition where we 
may not receive light, or progress out of that lower or 
earthly condition. 

When we can consider ourselves competent to dis- 
pense with all of these barbarous ideas, and are suffi- 
ciently intelligent to follow the laws of nature in a philo- 
sophical way as science demonstrates to us, and live in 
accordance with those laws as nature has provided, we 
will not find it necessary for the exertion of any other 
influences to guide and direct us in the way of right, 
honesty and truthfulness to our fellow men. By follow- 
ing out these principles with a higher spiritual education, 
the world will experience no wrongs, and the prison walls 
will crumble into dust for want of use. 

It is the mind that has wrought all the intellectual 
changes in this earth-life. It is thought that has ema- 
nated from these expansive minds that has created all 
of the great and useful ideas that have so abridged man's 
labors, and solved the many imaginary miracles that have 
haunted the mind of man. Often by accident new ideas 
occur and new inventions are discovered. 

Had it not been for the apple falling from the tree and 
bumping Newton upon the head while he was in medita- 
tion, he perhaps would never have discovered the laws of 
gravitation which have been so generally utilized in va- 
rious contrivances. 

The mind is often compelled by necessity, for its own 
relief or comforts of its physical body, to devise new con- 
trivances that have resulted in usefulness to mankind. A 



ig8 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

miracle of the past is an absurdity of today and a mira- 
cle of today will be an absurdity in the future. As our 
minds are awakened to the laws of nature, and we are 
able to see and understand the workings of these laws, 
miracles cease to be miracles, and impossibilities cease to 
be impossibilities. It is only a delusion of the mind that 
creates these miraculous phenomena that prevents us from 
comprehending the laws by which they are solved. It is 
only when we are able to avert fear with its accompany- 
ing temporary insanity over an unfamiliar proposition, 
that we can concentrate our minds and accept the natural 
laws of philosophy and realize the absurdity, and arrive at 
the truth of that proposition. 

The time has arrived when the intelligent mind will 
not accept imagination as facts, but delve deeply into the 
material of the subject, that they may get at the root for 
philosophical investigation. It is through these deep re- 
searches that the public today are able to receive their 
unquestionable information. 

In man's evolution, which goes on to the end of time, 
it is knowledge and information, and not miraculous hin- 
drances, that will help him in his progression, and it 
rests with himself to what stage of that evolution he will 
arrive on departing this earthly life, and preparing him- 
self for his entrance into the world -of eternity, as it is 
the condition of his mind that must prepare him for the 
condition which he is to occupy in the immortal world. 

The immortal world consists, so far as I have accurate 
knowledge, of seven distinct spheres ; beyond that, my in- 
telligence is somewhat limited. The world beyond those 
spheres I can only understand to be called the celestial 
world, and at this present date, I have been unable to as- 
certain how many spheres or conditions exist under that 
name. Now the question may arise in the minds of men, 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 199 

Where are those spheres and of what do they consist? 
The first sphere exists about fifty miles from the earth's 
surface, completely surrounding the earth on which we 
live, it being just outside of the atmosphere which sur- 
rounds this world of ours. Fifty miles from that exists 
the second, and fifty miles from that the third, and so on 
until the seventh sphere is reached, each being the same 
number of miles apart. Each sphere consists of seven 
separate and distinct conditions, suitable to the mind of 
man who may dwell therein. 

I desire to explain to all those who are unfamiliar with 
the natural laws of spiritual life that the spirit or mind 
is a condition or force in nature invisible to the physical 
eye, not unlike the current of electricity ; and the condition 
and spheres which it inhabits is according to the physical 
nature which it retains, and the condition or sphere like 
itself is also unobserved by the physical eye. The more 
the mind is relieved of its earthly condition the further 
will it exist from earth in its spiritual purity. 

Earth attracts earthly conditions. The philosophical so- 
lution is that like attracts like. An immortal occupies a 
position in the universe in keeping with his spiritual con- 
dition, the greater the spiritual condition the further is he 
removed from physical or earthly life. 

The reason for this explanation is, that since writing 
on this subject I have met those who were unable to com- 
prehend that the immortal world was a condition that 
existed in space, but believed it to be a planetary system 
existing they knew not where, upon which immortals 
lived in a physical condition not unlike themselves. As I 
desire to lift human minds out of darkness in which they 
exist regarding the natural laws governing the two worlds 
— and the great universe in which these worlds exist — I 
spare no thought or time in deliberating upon this sub- 

14 



200 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

ject that I may make it comprehensive to the most simple 
reasoning mind. I still further desire to state that had I 
not received the knowledge and information of the loca- 
tion of the immortal world and its proximity to the planet 
which we inhabit I never would have suggested or pre- 
sumed its position or relation to our own world. 

It is only by man's progression that he may be able to 
pass from one condition to another, and from one sphere 
to another, according to his purity of mind and thought, 
and his intelligence. As man lives in this earth-life, so 
will he take up his abode in the immortal world in the 
sphere and condition in which he has lived in earth-life. 
In other words, he may occupy the same condition or 
sphere in the immortal world that he occupies in earth- 
life. To illustrate : A man who has murder in his heart, 
a desire to take the life of the physical body of man, a 
blood-thirsty mind, with a longing to do all the harm pos- 
sible to his fellow-men, must of necessity be in a sphere 
of crime and degradation. Now that mind, spirit or soul, 
as you may choose to term it, on leaving this earthly life, 
takes up its abode in the same sphere or condition in 
which it existed in earth-life, and that sphere is the first or 
lowest sphere of eternal life, a sphere which consists of 
criminals, murderers, suicides and low, degraded drunk- 
ards, and all who have minds of similar nature. Still, all 
living in that same sphere may not exist in the same con- 
dition, there being seven of those conditions, and there 
still remains in that sphere a brighter prospect for those 
who exist in a higher condition than those of the lower. 
A drunkard may not be classed with a murderer, as the 
drunkard's mind may be of a higher order, as he may 
be free from criminal intent only so far as pertains to his 
own personal injury, and it rests solely with his own per- 
sonal condition that may have produced this inebriety, and 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 201 

the further intent accompanying it, as to the sphere in 
which he may abide. A drunkard's life must of necessity 
impair the development of his mind, and should he be 
ever so well inclined, it has retarded his progress in the 
immortal world ; and in proportion to the injury done to 
his progression will his condition exist in the life to come. 
On the other hand, the deliberate and professional mur- 
derer must of necessity be of the lowest type of human 
existence and occupy the lowest plane of animal life, and 
on reaching the immortal world he must take up his 
abode in the lowest sphere and condition of immortal life ; 
and as that condition on earth is nothing but darkness and 
crime, comparatively speaking, he must exist in nothing 
but darkness and crime, practically speaking, as there does 
not exist in that condition of that sphere one ray of light. 

I wish to explain how this darkness exists. A mind 
with criminal intent throws about it an aura of its own 
condition, which is darkness in earth-life, figuratively, 
and darkness in immortal life, literally, and collectively 
they produce a darkness which no ray of light of any de- 
scription whatever may be able to penetrate. 

In earth-life, a man in this condition excludes himself 
from all spiritual influences other than those of his own 
condition, as those of a higher condition are unable to 
see him from the darkness which is thrown about him. 
Mortals are not able to see this condition, but can feel and 
realize it. 

Suicides may occupy that sphere or even that condi- 
tion. As the mind of man committing a crime, so is the 
condition in that life, for as man's mind exists while pass- 
ing from earth, so does it exist in the future life, and it is 
with greater effort that he may be able to progress out of 
that condition in immortal life than on this earth plane, 
for in immortal life there is no physical body to assist in 



202 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

relieving the mind of its mental condition, as the crime 
has already been committed, while on earth it is the con- 
templation of the crime without the consummation of the 
act. The poor criminals existing- in that condition are to 
be pitied, as it is with the greatest effort and mental exer- 
tion they are able to progress out of a condition that has 
been for so many years instilled into their minds. Pre- 
cisely as in earth-life, many criminals who are criminals 
at heart, still remain as such, for no effort whatsoever on 
the part of charitable friends or spiritually inclined minds 
may be able to show them the errors of their way, and 
create a desire on their part to progress out of their exist- 
ing condition : Thus we can understand why it is that 
criminals have existed in the first sphere of the immor- 
tal world for many thousands of years. By reason of 
this fact the reader may appreciate my great desire for 
the higher education and spiritual development of the 
human family ; for it is by a higher development of the 
mind that this low, degraded condition of both mortal 
and immortal life may be averted. 

As time goes on and the mind in the immortal world 
can realize its degradation, exerting an effort for good 
which may counteract this condition, a poor soul is en- 
abled to progress out of this low condition, and in time 
pass through the various stages of the first sphere, and 
reach a sphere or condition of light where, with the as- 
sistance of immortals of higher spheres, it may more rap- 
idly progress. By the assistance- of those who have passed 
through these same conditions it may be helped to a 
state of understanding of its position, and aided in its 
progression. 

An immortal who has never lived in a degraded en- 
vironment in earth-life, could give but very little assist- 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 203 

ance to one of that condition in the immortal world, he 
being unfamiliar with that environment. 

There is one thing in the immortal life that may grant 
us great pleasure and satisfaction. We cannot retro- 
grade. Degeneracy cannot take place. There is but one 
way to go, and that is upward in the way of progression. 
The good that we have accomplished while in earth-life 
cannot be undone in the immortal world. In the mortal 
world the mind frequently retrogrades. 

We see a man in prosperity, enjoying the comforts and 
pleasures of earth, surrounded by all of the luxuries that 
money can buy and mind desire, doing kind acts for hu- 
manity, ever with an open hand for charity. Time passes 
by. We see him again. Conditions have changed. By 
reason of drink he is deprived of all earthly goods, home 
and family are gone ; those who enjoyed his hospitality 
refuse to recognize him, a poor drunkard, apparently lost 
to this world, a pitiable sight to look upon, and in this 
condition he passes from earth. Had he passed to the 
immortal world during the period of prosperity and pro- 
gression, how much better might it have been for his 
soul. 

I ofttimes think that nature is performing a charitable 
act when she calls to the other shore a man who, in his 
brilliancy, is on the road to progression, doing kind and 
charitable acts to his fellow-man, a flower in the garden 
of human existence ; then his mind is in a condition to 
receive light and knowledge, nothing remaining in the 
way to prevent him passing onward in his intelligence 
and condition of mind to the higher realms. In this con- 
dition he is able to return to the mortal world and assist 
those whom he is aware are in need of a higher spiritual 
development. On the other hand, had he remained on 
earth these conditions might have changed, and he by 



204 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

misfortune and despondency have passed to degradation 
and ruin, and never again have been able to have occu- 
pied so high a position on entering the immortal world. 

The immortal occupying a condition in the first sphere, 
by the assistance of those of higher life who come to his 
aid, starts on the way to progression, and is able to re- 
ceive the light and intelligence offered him, passing rap- 
idly from condition to condition, until he reaches the gray 
dawn of the second sphere. He then is in a position to 
see more readily and accept the knowledge that is given 
him. As he passes on through these various conditions 
of immortal existence, the way grows clearer, a state of 
happiness begins to break upon his soul, and he is in a 
position to realize his past life, both of earth and of the 
immortal world. He is able to be of some assistance to 
those in the condition or sphere which he has so for- 
tunately left behind. 

On entering the second sphere, he discards the form in 
which he has existed during the life of the first sphere, 
resembling somewhat the physical body which he left on 
passing from earth, and dons a garb of greater purity, 
which is gray, the previous one being black. He now be- 
gins to realize the importance of making his early prep- 
arations for his advent into the new life. Without hesi- 
tancy he endeavors to redeem that which he had in earth- 
life lost. His spiritual nature becomes more refined as he 
progresses, and he comprehends that brighter spirits of 
the higher realms are seeking to assist him ; and as time 
passes by, his eyes are opened to the light of the early 
morn, the beginning of the third sphere. This is the 
first sunlight he has been able to see since his departure 
from earth, and the glories of nature are now beginning 
to dawn upon him. Living verdure meets his vision, 
and this perhaps may have been the first for thousands 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 205 

of years, and he experiences great pleasure and delight 
therefrom. He now is able to see the way more clearly, 
as the bright sunlight begins to dawn upon him, that same 
sun that dawned upon him from day to day in earth-life ; 
and he can see more clearly and farther into the future. 
His friends beyond come to visit him and give him cheer. 
He begins to hear the birds warble, and see the rippling 
of the streams. He may perchance observe a camp by the 
side of some river, where the Indians are holding their 
jubilee, as their happy hunting-ground is in this sphere. 
He may observe them chasing the buffalo and deer, as in 
earth-life, not with a desire to take life, but as a pleasur- 
able pastime, and many other pleasant amusements can he 
enjoy. Still he does not forget his duties to himself and 
fellow-man. He avails himself of all opportunities of as- 
sisting other poor souls, who are struggling to find the 
way through which he has so recently passed, and he, in 
sympathy, reaches out his hand to assist them in their 
progression on this road in eternal life, there existing 
in his mind hope, charity and forgiveness to those who 
might have done him harm while in earth-life. Selfish- 
ness and bigotry, with all their attributes, are fading from 
his mental character, and as he dispenses with those con- 
ditions, his mind becomes purer and more capable of re- 
ceiving higher intelligence, and occupying a more ad- 
vanced condition in that sphere in which he dwells, and 
that longing goes out from his heart for knowledge of his 
future. As he advances, he realizes how much more 
beautiful everything appears to him, and gives him as- 
pirations for increasing his work of progression. It cre- 
ates a desire to help all other unfortunates, that they may 
enjoy the same privileges which he now experiences. As 
this desire grows upon him, it assists him more and more 



206 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

with his own progression, and his anxieties become 
stronger for a higher life. 

When the immortal has reached the third sphere, he 
begins to realize that he is a free, moral agent, and that a 
certain liberty or freedom exists about him. The dark- 
ness which he has recently experienced has disappeared. 
He dons a garb that is befitting his freedom of mind, re- 
gardless of color, as it rests with his own mind to choose, 
all darkness having cleared away. He longs for a higher 
station in life, by which he may be able to display greater 
thought by the increased intelligence he may receive. 

The immortal world is not unlike a graded school, the 
more knowledge one receives, the higher grade he may 
occupy. While occupying this sphere the immortal can 
return to earth and impart to his friends such knowledge 
as he is capable of advancing. Still, there is not as much 
inclination to do this as in a more advanced sphere of 
immortal life, as the greatest desire is to progress to a 
higher life, which must of necessity occupy a greater 
portion of time. As he advances from condition to con- 
dition in this sphere, he sees more perfect beauty — the 
foliage is more developed, vegetation more luxuriant, the 
rays of the sun more bright; his joys increase and time is 
none too rapid for his progression. He yearns for the 
time when he may reach a higher sphere, that he may 
dwell with those of lofty thoughts and intelligence. Al- 
though he can realize the advancement of his mind, yet 
he can see where in the future it may be brighter. I have 
known immortals when returning to earth upon being 
questioned upon subjects of importance to respond, "Wait 
until I can arrive at the fourth sphere, when my mind 
will be clearer and I will be able to explain things more 
intelligently." As time goes by with mental exertion, 
they finally reach that sphere, and by casting off the last 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 207 

condition of the third, are received with open arms into 
that sphere, as all who dwell therein are pleased to wel- 
come the newcomers ; not unlike the lodges of earth, all 
are pleased with those who are initiated into their sanc- 
tums that they may appreciate the beauties of the lodge. 

There are schools existing in the third sphere which 
help to increase intelligence in preparing them for a 
higher flight, where skillful minds of higher life return 
to assist in developing these minds. Those who occupy 
positions in earth-life as teachers in our various schools 
and are pleased with their vocation, occupy the same po- 
sition in the immortal world, and as many uneducated and 
unlettered minds enter there, they receive the benefits, if 
they allow themselves to be subjected to those advan- 
tages, precisely as in earth-life. I have known of per- 
sons passing from earth-life totally uneducated, who, on 
returning, after a period of several years, talked with 
affluence and brilliancy, and exhibited a remarkable in- 
crease in intelligence, this being accomplished through 
the schools of the immortal world. 

I desire the reader to realize the similarity existing 
between the immortal and the mortal world, and to 
eradicate from his mind all ideas of the miraculousness 
of the immortal world that he has been taught in early 
life, and I wish once more to remind him that the life of 
the immortal world is not unlike his own, the only change 
being the further development of the mind. 

On reaching the higher spheres of the immortal world, 
the schools are of a higher order, resembling the advance- 
ment from the district school to the college of earth-life. 
The higher intelligence man attains, the higher schools 
or colleges he attends. In the higher spheres missionary 
schools are instituted for the purpose of educating those 
who are adapted for that class of work, that they may be 



208 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

sent out for missionary work, both in the immortal world 
and earth-life, to help the struggling mortals and immor- 
tals alike. Thus it is that there is existing with us mor- 
tals an immortal guide, or guardian angel, and a mortal 
is never left alone, as there are others who come to his 
relief when he desires to go to his home for his own edu- 
cation and advancement. If this poor, ignorant world 
could only realize what care, attention and anxiety are 
given from the immortal world, they would not scorn 
and deride the idea of the possibility of the immortal ex- 
istence, or the assistance to be derived therefrom. If I 
could only impress every mind of earth with the intelli- 
gence of an immortal existence, and bring them to a state 
of realization wherein they might be able to appreciate 
the work and benefit that they are constantly receiving 
from that world, I would then feel that I had accom- 
plished something, that my labor was not all in vain. 

These educational institutions of a higher immortal 
life are conducted on purely scientific principles, the laws 
of nature being the rudiments of those institutions, and 
from those principles knowledge proceeds, as they are 
the keynotes to all knowledge and intelligence. Higher 
sciences are taught with more perfection as minds pass 
to a higher state of intelligence, yet there are theories 
existing there as in earth-life, and doubtless always will 
exist. As I have not had the privilege of knowing what 
exists beyond the seventh sphere, it is a mystery to me, 
and that is a mystery to the immortal world who have not 
advanced beyond the seventh sphere, so far as I have 
been able to ascertain. Should we be capable of compre- 
hending what exists within that radius, we should be 
quite content, as we would then be far in advance of 
years gone by. 

As I have given the outline of the conditions of the 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 209 

immortal world so far as I have been able to go, and have 
endeavored to show that it is not unlike our own, the 
only difference being the advanced intelligence, I believe 
these conditions can be readily comprehended, and I re- 
peat, as we live in earth-life, so we begin eternal life. 
It is not necessary upon our departure from earth to pass 
to the lowest sphere of immortal life. The average intel- 
ligent, well-thinking, spiritually-developed human mind 
may not occupy a lower position in the immortal world 
on its entrance than the lowest condition of the third 
sphere. Thus you see the great importance of properly 
educating and conducting one's life while on earth in an 
intelligent, moral and spiritual sense, that it may upon 
entering the immortal world occupy a like position. A 
man who lives morally, intellectually and spiritually in 
keeping with his privileges of today, may on passing to 
immortal life accept no less position than a condition in 
the third sphere. You may see by this that he averts 
these two lower spheres or conditions of life. By edu- 
cating himself in the higher studies of intellectuality and 
developing his spiritual nature to a very high degree that 
he may be perfectly familiar with the immortal world, 
enabling him to converse with them as in earth-life,' and 
throwing aside all bigotry, selfishness and vanity, on 
leaving this earth he is able on entering eternal life to 
occupy a condition in the fourth sphere ; but should he 
attempt so to do, he must of necessity exclude himself 
from the ruder element of mortal life and his friends 
might be unable to enjoy his society. He, being of so high 
a spiritual nature, they being of a more earthly nature, 
could not appreciate or enjoy his society ; in other words, 
it would be impossible for them to get close to him, as 
his finer spiritual nature would repel them, and their 
coarse, earthly nature would offer such a resistance to 



210 SPIRIT OR MIND. 

him that he would be unable to dwell in their midst. 
Not until the world has experienced these phenomena 
will it ever be able to understand and comprehend the 
meaning. 

As time goes by on its wings of progression, this 
world, like other worlds in advance of us, will become 
more spiritual in its nature. It will occupy higher 
spheres in mortal life, in which crime and degradation 
will be exterminated, and when this does occur, the first 
sphere of the immortal world will be of but little use, as 
'there will be none on this earth occupying so low a posi- 
tion as to call for an equivalent condition in the immortal 
life. As mortal life becomes elevated, so also will im- 
mortal life, and immortal life will have no more use for the 
lower spheres, than mortal life for its prison bars. That 
time will come, though it may be many generations be- 
fore it is realized ; but come it must, and when that day 
makes its advent in this earth-life, life of the mortal 
world will be a heaven, a paradise to enjoy, should this 
earth still exist in its present state. In order to realize 
this condition we should be conversant with history of 
the past, and by taking those histories and carefully com- 
paring them with the present, analyzing them side by 
side, the intelligence of the past with the intelligence of 
today, the advancement of spiritual propensities over the 
days gone by, witnessing the changes in man's humanity 
to man, comprehending the discarding of cruelties over 
the days of the past, the desire to avert war and turmoils 
of various nature, considering the changes that have 
taken place and the brief period of time, and allowing the 
progression to continue in the same ratio in which it has 
in the past few centuries, with the political changes which 
have taken place for the better with the free republics 
and institutions of education — after all of these have been 



SPIRIT OR MIND. 211 

carefully considered, we then can by accepting the theory 
I am advocating of that great and lofty state of intelli- 
gence that is to take place, and by carefully observing 
those rapid changes, awaken to a realization of that 
rapid stride of progression. We then will be unable to 
say, "Let the world go on ; I care not what becomes of 
it" ; but all carefully considering minds, minds of intelli- 
gence, minds of lofty thought, minds of progression, 
minds that desire to better the condition of man, will 
join hands in making an effort to bring about this great 
revolution, and as the less thinking mind can see and 
comprehend what the world is doing and the importance 
thereof, they, too, will join as followers in that great rush 
of rapid progress. As time goes on, no mind will say, 
"Let the world stop its movements, I care not." They 
cannot do it, as the influences from the mortal and im- 
mortal world will exert their power ove.r them in which 
they will be forced by will to progress, and we will live 
to see that day, in immortal life, and what happiness it 
will bring us when that takes place ! The knowledge of 
eternal life of itself exerts an influence over our souls to 
assist earth-life in progression. The hope that dwells in 
our souls excites our minds to action, and in the brevity 
of mortal life, should we improve each passing hour, our 
time then is limited to execute the labor that is our duty 
to perform. Improving each moment in a way that will 
benefit us here on earth for our progression for eternal 
life can only fit us for the commencement of that life. 



212 CONCLUSION. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



CONOLUSION. 



On reviewing my recent investigations and study of the 
natural laws governing the Mortal and Immortal Worlds, 
I have observed that to further our interest in these laws 
it is necessary to devote a portion of our useful time to 
promoting our knowledge pertaining to these laws ; and 
as it is our time that we must devote in exercising our 
minds upon all topics in relation to our general welfare, 
it is right and proper that we should give up a portion 
of time to considering our future life, or the life beyond 
the grave. This being a study of our future welfare, it 
is as natural for us to devote time to that as it would be 
to a home that we might purpose to inhabit in some other 
portion of this earth-life ; therefore it is reasonable that 
we should devote some thought in that direction. As the 
world in general is apparently ignorant of these laws, I 
have made some suggestions in this work by which they 
may be guided and directed by careful study in a way 
that may lead them on to a more perfect mental' devel- 
opment, that they will more clearly understand the neces- 
sities that await their future life. 

The world is inclined to live only in the past, and this 
may be accounted for by its having received such imper- 



CONCLUSION. 213 

feet knowledge of the future, either through the ignor- 
ance of its instructors, or through the fear of those hav- 
ing the knowledge to impart, as the pagan world is in- 
clined to demoralize all views pertaining to the truths of 
the immortal world. It is only by the exertion of will of 
those who have acquainted themselves with philosophical 
laws that the world will ever be relieved of the shackles 
of paganism. To those who are unfamiliar with these 
laws, the word pagan implies something of past history 
or an idolatrous worship. They do not stop to think that 
it is not only those who are worshiping graven images or 
graven gods that may be termed pagans, but it may apply 
to all worshipers of unknown or imaginary gods, and so 
long as they remain worshipers of these gods, they will 
continue in ignorance of the true laws of nature, as such 
worshipings are hindrances to civilization ; in other 
words, it limits knowledge through superstitious educa- 
tion, restricting the development of the mind and thereby 
retarding the natural progression of man. 

Should all scientific men who understand and com- 
prehend these laws, put forth a greater effort to ex- 
pound them to the world, and, not through fear of dis- 
sension or censure, keep them hidden within their own 
cranial walls, paganism today would to a far greater ex- 
tent be eradicated, as then the world would be enlight- 
ened upon these subjects and would not have a desire to 
remain in darkness and ignorance of the natural laws 
governing those two worlds. 

Man is not responsible for that which he does not 
know and which he has had no opportunity to learn, and 
should he follow the teachings of his childhood, believing 
them to be the truths, he should not be denounced for 
advocating that which has been taught and so sincerely 
believed. I do not denounce the world for following: 



214 CONCLUSION. 

their religious dogmas, as they are earnest and sincere in 
their belief, and why should they not be so? Their 
parents have taught them this from their infancy ; their 
clergymen, in whom they have the utmost confidence, 
have proclaimed it from the rostrums ; and why should it 
not be natural for them in all these teachings with no 
light let in upon their minds of the natural laws which 
are so contrary to their religious training and which 
would enlighten them upon these truths, to follow the 
way in which they have from childhood been taught ? 

Through the natural laws of progression, there always 
comes a time when some radical change takes place in 
the mind of man. We may look over our past history 
and recognize at a glance those periods wherein the 
world has grown wiser for these occurrences, and pro- 
nounce them good. Yet when we see those periods loom- 
ing up before us, there is a natural feeling of dread for 
this further metamorphosis, as it must of necessity inter- 
fere with our past and established ideas, and we under- 
stand that we- are sooner or later to break away from 
them, much as we dislike to sever our relations with old 
established thoughts. 

It is the philosophical mind that produces these radi- 
cal changes, and the world is obliged to accept them ; and 
this acceptance is only established by constantly placing 
them before the public mind to read and experience be- 
fore they can comprehend the benefits to be derived there- 
from. While this change is taking place there is an un- 
easiness prevailing in the minds of the populace. There 
is a dread of parting with the ideas of the past and yet a 
feeling of compulsion to accept that which they are im- 
pressed consists of a greater intelligence. These experi- 
ences have always existed in the past and will always 
exist in the future. I recall many instances of new in- 



CONCLUSION. 215 

ventions wherein the public mind has clamored against 
those inventions, claiming that they were not needed, as 
the old way quite sufficiently served the purpose ; but 
upon experiencing the results of the new idea, they then 
as readily expressed themselves as greatly pleased and 
could not understand why these things could not have 
been invented before. 

These are not unlike our religious views. A religion 
of fifty years ago is accepted today by those who have 
ceased to progress. Fifty years ago a hell of fire and 
brimstone was taught and believed by a majority of 
churches. Today that unwholesome religion is discarded 
by a greater portion of the civilized world. Fifty years 
ago a devil was laying plots to inveigle man into the 
realms of this burning fire of hell. Today he does not 
exist in the more thinking minds. Today exists a per- 
sonal God governing and controlling the universe with a 
scrutinizing eye, directing each and every mortal of this 
earth, ready to chastise and punish for what He may 
term evil doings. One hundred years hence He will not 
exist in the public mind. Today we are taught that by not 
accepting Christ as a redeeming Savior, our souls are 
lost to the world called heaven. One hundred years 
hence Christ as a Savior will exist only in the minds of a 
very ignorant few. Today we are taught in our churches 
the existence of the above gods and the necessity of wor- 
shiping them. One hundred years hence these teachings 
will be supplanted by lectures upon right and wrong to 
our fellow man and the science of the laws governing the 
mortal and immortal worlds. 

This day is fast approaching, and it is only by time 
and study, improvement of the mind, the reception of the 
truths of the scientific world, that these great changes 
may be wrought ; and when this day does dawn on the 

15 



216 CONCLUSION. 

mind of the progressive world, there will be a radical 
change that will open an era of intelligence greater by 
far than the world has ever known, for at that time ig- 
norance, superstition and jealousy will be comparatively 
eradicated from the entire intelligent world. 

That time will demonstrate the importance of self-re- 
liance, for then there will be no gods to lean upon. There 
will then be no gods to forgive us for our wrong-doings. 
There will then be no gods to pardon us for the crimes 
we may have perpetrated. We will then come to a stage 
of understanding that we ourselves are responsible for 
the injustices that we may perpetrate upon our fellow- 
men and that it is ourselves that must of necessity exe- 
cute that which will relieve our conscience for those un- 
just acts. The world then will be better, the criminal in- 
clinations of man will cease*to exist, and as our object in 
this life is to improve the condition of life by promoting 
its progression, the sooner it aspires to that noble and 
lofty end, that much sooner we will accomplish our pur- 
pose. The aim of man in earth-life is to accomplish that 
which he believes to be of the greatest benefit to his own 
welfare, and when he accomplishes that which may do 
himself the greatest amount of good, then he performs 
that which may benefit others likewise. I refer to the 
man of principle and noble designs, not to the man with 
proclivities for selfish gain, as the latter is a hindrance 
to the progressive world. Should it be composed of char- 
acters of that type, the end to which I refer would never 
be reached, for never will this latter mind comprehend 
wherein it may arrive at a state of realization of its own 
condition until these laws of nature are instilled into it. 

Should we stop to thing that by benefiting the condi- 
tion of the human family we are improving the atmos- 
phere of our own life and raising the standard of the 



CONCLUSION. 217 

sphere in which we live, we would not cease in making 
an effort for this advancement, realizing that we make 
our own conditions of life. As the inebriate or criminal 
makes his conditions, so we make ours, and for the better- 
ment of humanity, we should endeavor to elevate the 
principles of mortal life and develop our spiritual nature 
that we may think and act so as to inspire aspirations for 
higher ideas in the less fortunate. 

As the savants of all ages have started from the lower 
round of the ladder of human existence, and through 
energy and ambition have drunk in the knowledge placed 
before them for a higher intellectuality, so should we all, 
understanding the mind's future development, take the 
advantage of all opportunities presented to the human 
mind. I can but repeat that knowledge is the light of 
progression of the human mind or soul, and should we 
desire that light for the eternal life, the time to begin the 
work for the future life is now while the mind has the 
physical brain as a developer ; and when this is accom- 
plished, we have not only improved our own condition, 
but that of all others with whom we may inadvertently 
come in contact in this life. I can but realize the satis- 
factory conditions that a life thus described will produce 
in the life to come, with the knowledge that we may re- 
turn to this earth and lend a helping hand to mortals 
struggling for intelligence. 

Is it not a glorious thought that our friends who have 
departed this life are still able to return and extend a 
welcome hand, and greet us as when existing in the 
physical body? Is it not a great comfort and satisfac- 
tion to know that the mind is not lost, and that it still is 
able to act upon subjects in which we ourselves are so 
deeply interested? Is it not a consolation to know that 
that same mind, although not in the body, is able to guide 



2i8 CONCLUSION. 

and direct, explain and instruct, as in days gone by while 
existing in this earthly life ? Is it not a pleasure to know 
that our fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and 
all we hold so dear, are — although gone to dwell in that 
eternal life — able to return and mingle with us and en- 
joy sweet communion as in mortal life ? Is it not a beau- 
tiful thought that our intelligence that we have struggled 
so hard to gain, lives on through eternal life, that we may 
continue to reap the rewards of our early perseverance? 
Is it not a satisfactory thought that we can utilize this 
intelligence in promoting the welfare of all we so dearly 
love, be they either in mortal or immortal life? Is it not 
a solace to know that by developing our spiritual nature 
we will occupy a higher position in the spiritual realms? 
Is it not consoling that by time and progression, as we 
go on through eternal life, we are forever aspiring to a 
more perfect state of mental development? We can but 
answer these interrogations by thanking kind nature that 
this is the future destiny of the mind and soul of man ; 
and by developing our mind in its higher and more spir- 
itual nature, we may aspire to that end through the 
Natural Laws governing the Mortal and Immortal 
Worlds. 



8850 



fe o y.-^-x y.-^A y.>^-,4 








* <y * I 

-,♦ „ • • Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
,-Jy * • ^ ♦ „ »tc«^v Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 

Tl Treatment Date: Nov. 2004 

PreservationTechnoiogies 





K A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 



A- °c> ' * rTi 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 

■AT <**, ° « ° <V Cranberry Township, PA 16066 

> *WtL'* V 'I,*,?* S^> (724)779-2111 



\ V^ ;^fA°o ^^ 



?rvV> iJl^V *U*' 



J" V-3W?V V-^-> V™*V 






<* *••'»• a<> ^* ♦'77^ A 

*_ cP .°*^% ^ j* y~>/r?7^L« ^ 

















- *W / 











V 



V^ 1 




J ^^ 








* * r£» <C^ • (CCv S8 A ^r» 4* * ^ 



